Radiofrequency Diathermy and Therapeutic Exercise Protocol in Women With Abdominal Diastasis

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

34 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-01-16

Study Completion Date

2026-06-30

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is defined as the presence of divergence between the rectus abdominis muscles along the linea alba. DRA is associated with decreased abdominal strength and degraded health and physical functioning, which results in poorer body perception and satisfaction and negatively affects the quality of life in its multiple spheres (social, sexual and personal). Regarding the different treatment techniques for DRA, different treatments have been described, such as bandages, electrotherapy or therapeutic exercise, the latter being the most scientifically supported option to approach DRA conservatively. Exercise has shown positive effects on DRA severity, abdominal muscle thickness, abdominal strength and endurance, and quality of life in women with DRA.

Another treatment that has shown promising effects in various pathologies is radiofrequency diathermy using the Capacitive-Resistive Electrical Transfer system. The capacitive mode acts on soft tissues containing electrolytes such as muscles and vascular and lymphatic tissues. On the other hand, the resistive mode acts on tissues of higher density and fat and fiber content, such as bones, ligaments and tendons. It has been documented that this type of therapy acts favoring the vascularization of tissues, decreasing inflammation and favoring the processes of cellular repair and analgesia. Its beneficial effect on low back pain and various pelvic floor disorders has been studied. However, at present, there are no studies evaluating the effectiveness of this type of intervention in people with abdominal diastasis.

In view of the above, the objective of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a protocol based on therapeutic exercise preceded by a radiofrequency diathermy program on anthropometric parameters, anatomo-physiological parameters, functional parameters, and parameters related to psychological aspects in women with postpartum abdominal diastasis.

Related Clinical Trials

Explore similar clinical trials based on study characteristics and research focus.

The Influence of the Diaphragm Muscle and Pain Perception on Lower Limb Neuromuscular Control in Sports Practice.

NCT05982210

Diaphragm; Relaxation

UNKNOWN NA

Acute Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Load on Diaphragmatic Recovery in Athletes

NCT07046637

Sports Physical Therapy Athletic Injuries Healthy

NOT_YET_RECRUITING NA

Hypo-pressive Abdominal Exercise on Inspiratory Muscle Strength, Diaphragm Thickness and Pain in Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

NCT04750187

Low Back Pain

COMPLETED NA

Effect of Abdominal Wall Activity on the Responses to Meal Ingestion

NCT04691882

Healthy

COMPLETED NA

Stretching of the Diaphragm and Cervical Impulse Technique and Its Possible Spirometric Changes

NCT03732222

Respiratory Disease

COMPLETED NA

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

A longitudinal randomized controlled experimental study will be carried out. The sample will be composed of 34 postpartum women, randomly distributed in two groups: i) diathermy + exercise group (GDE) (n=17), and ii) placebo diathermy + exercise group (GPE) (n=17).

The evaluations will be performed at two time points: i) before the intervention (T1), and ii) after the last session (T2).

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Abdominal Diastasis

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Diathermy + exercise group

Application of diathermy and a therapeutic exercise protocol.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Diathermy + exercise group

Intervention Type OTHER

The Diathermy + Exercise group will receive diathermy for 15 minutes, of which 5 minutes will be applied in the capacitive method and 10 minutes in the resistive method. You will then perform 20 minutes of the following exercises: 1) Bird-Dog, 2) Crunch, 3) Obliques, 4) Drawing, 5) Half plank and 6) Side-plank. You will perform 8-12 repetitions and 3 sets of each exercise. 3 sessions of 35 minutes per week for 8 weeks.

Diathermy placebo + exercise group

Application of the diathermy device without energy emission and a therapeutic exercise protocol.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Diathermy placebo + exercise group

Intervention Type OTHER

The Placebo + Exercise group will receive 15 minutes of application of the diathermy device without energy emission. It will then perform the same therapeutic exercise protocol described in the GDE. 3 sessions of 35 minutes per week for 8 weeks.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Diathermy + exercise group

The Diathermy + Exercise group will receive diathermy for 15 minutes, of which 5 minutes will be applied in the capacitive method and 10 minutes in the resistive method. You will then perform 20 minutes of the following exercises: 1) Bird-Dog, 2) Crunch, 3) Obliques, 4) Drawing, 5) Half plank and 6) Side-plank. You will perform 8-12 repetitions and 3 sets of each exercise. 3 sessions of 35 minutes per week for 8 weeks.

Intervention Type OTHER

Diathermy placebo + exercise group

The Placebo + Exercise group will receive 15 minutes of application of the diathermy device without energy emission. It will then perform the same therapeutic exercise protocol described in the GDE. 3 sessions of 35 minutes per week for 8 weeks.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Women aged 18 to 45 years,
* 3 to 24 months postpartum
* Criteria of abdominal diastasis according to Beer's criteria (Beer et al.2009)

Exclusion Criteria

* Rejection to sign the informed consent form
* Presence of any metabolic, neurological or connective tissue disease, as well as cognitive alterations.

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

45 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No