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

NCT07001046 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: Mobile App-Based Exercises
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Diastasis Recti and Weakness of the Linea Alba

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Inter-recti Separation

  The distance between the medial borders of the rectus abdominis muscles measured in Centimeters (cm) by the diagnostic Ultrasound.

  Assessment was done pre treatment sessions and immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Abdominal muscle strength

  Assessment was done pre treatment sessions and immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions

• Girth measurements

  Assessment was done pre treatment sessions and immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions

• Satisfaction level

  Assessment was done immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions

Study Arms (2)

Group A

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Other: Mobile app-directed exercise program

Group B

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Other: Traditional Abdominal Exercises

Interventions

Mobile app-directed exercise program 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 A

Traditional Abdominal Exercises OTHER

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

Group B

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 35 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: This study targeted the mothers who have a diastasis recti after cesarean birth
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• South Valley University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of physical therapy, South Valley University

Qina, Qena Governorate, 83523, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Diastasis Recti And Weakness Of The Linea Alba

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer of Physical Therapy for Women's Health

Model Details: Two-arms Randomized Controlled Trial

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 27, 2024
• First Posted: June 3, 2025
• Study Start: April 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: October 1, 2023
• Study Completion: March 26, 2024
• Last Updated: August 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-07

Locations

EG (1)