Impact of Mobile App-Based Exercises on Rectus Diastasis in Women Undergoing Cesarean Birth

NCT ID: NCT07001046

Last Updated: 2025-08-19

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 40 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-04-01
• Study Completion Date: 2024-03-26

Brief Summary

Diastasis recti abdominis, or rectus diastasis, is the separation of the two parts of the rectus abdominis muscle along the midline of the linea alba, without any visible defect in the fascia.

Diastasis recti abdominis is most frequent during pregnancy and postpartum especially, after cesarean birth.

Detailed Description

Cesarean births were linked to significant post-operative changes in the thickness of abdominal fasciae and muscles when compared to vaginal births and these changes may be involved in the higher rates of diastasis recti post-cesarean births.

Managing diastasis recti abdominis begins with its diagnosis, followed by targeted interventions.

Diagnosis usually involves manual palpation to estimate the gap between the rectus abdominis muscles along the tendinous sheet of the linea alba. Updated imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, are now more frequently used for diagnosis.

Treatment either surgical or conservative; emphasizes physical therapy and personalized exercise programs. This method targets strengthening specific core muscles, such as the transverse abdominis and the pelvic floor.

Conditions

Diastasis Recti and Weakness of the Linea Alba

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Group A

20 first-time mothers participated in a mobile app-guided exercise program focusing on abdominal muscles. The app was downloaded during their initial visit to supplement their treatment, which they conducted at home three times a week for eight weeks. They also attended follow-up sessions once a week.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Mobile app-directed exercise program

Intervention Type: OTHER

The mobile app-guided exercise program initially asks the mother questions to collect information. These questions were about their motivation for exercise, the main exercise goal, and the area of focus in the exercise program

Group B

20 first-time mothers participated in a specific abdominal exercise program that included static abdominal exercises, head lifts with posterior pelvic tilting, and progressive curl-up exercises. The exercises were performed for 30 minutes, three times a week, for eight weeks as part of a home routine, along with a weekly follow-up session.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Traditional Abdominal Exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

The traditional abdominal exercises program consisted of simple static abdominal exercises, graduated curl-ups, and corrected abdominal crunches with posterior pelvic tilting

Interventions

Mobile app-directed exercise program

The mobile app-guided exercise program initially asks the mother questions to collect information. These questions were about their motivation for exercise, the main exercise goal, and the area of focus in the exercise program

Intervention Type: OTHER

Traditional Abdominal Exercises

The traditional abdominal exercises program consisted of simple static abdominal exercises, graduated curl-ups, and corrected abdominal crunches with posterior pelvic tilting

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• First-time mothers who delivered by a cesarean birth
• Post-cesarean women between 25 and 35 years old
• Women with a Diastasis Recti of at least 1 cm separation above the umbilicus and at least 0.5 cm separation below the umbilicus

Exclusion Criteria

• First-time mothers who delivered by a vaginal birth
• Multiparous mothers
• Those who have not a Diastasis Recti
• Mothers under 25 years old and those above 35 years old

• Minimum Eligible Age: 25 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 35 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

South Valley University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Mohamed Gamal Abouelyazeed Ali

Lecturer of Physical Therapy for Women's Health

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Faculty of physical therapy, South Valley University

Qina, Qena Governorate, Egypt

Countries

Egypt

Other Identifiers

Mobile App-Based Exercises

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id