Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Women with Diastasis Recti – A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Diastasis recti Abdominis (DRA) is a condition that occurs with increased distortion of linea alba. According to World Health Organization (WHO), Prevalence of DRA is 30–68% in postpartum women.
Objective: The study aims to determine the effect of pelvic floor muscle training on inter-recti distance among postnatal women with Diastasis recti.
Design: A Randomized controlled trial
Setting: The study was conducted at Sri Ramachandra Hospital, Chennai.
Subjects: 72 Subjects who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. After obtaining an informed consent the subjects were randomly allotted into two groups.
Outcome Measures: Pretest and post test measures of IRD were taken using the finger width and vernier caliper methods. The control group received abdominal muscle training alone and the intervention group received PFM training with abdominal muscle training. The post test measurement were taken at the end of 12 weeks of intervention.
Result: The analysis of IRD shows that there was a statistically significant difference in both control and experimental groups (P value <0.05). Between-group analysis of IRD taken using the finger width and vernier caliper methods shows no statistically significant difference between control and intervention groups (P >0.05)
Conclusion: This study shows no significant effect of pelvic floor muscle training on inter-recti distance in women with Diastasis recti.