Combined Effects Of Stability Oriented Breathing Exercises and Kegel's Exercises in Postpartum Women

NCT07521085 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR&AHS/25/0516
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The postpartum period often presents challenges such as increased inter-recti distance (diastasis recti), lumbopelvic pain, and reduced core strength. This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the combined effects of stability-oriented breathing exercises and Kegel exercises on inter-recti distance (IRD), lumbopelvic pain, and muscle strength in postpartum women. A total sample size of 66 participants per group was determined with a 10% dropout rate accounted for. The study will use a non-probability convenience sampling technique. It will be conducted at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital and Sehat Medical complex. Inclusion criteria include women aged 18-40 years, with a history of cesarean sections, an IRD between 3-5 cm. Outcome measures include IRD , pelvic floor muscle strength, lumbopelvic pain (measured using a 10 cm numeric pain scale). Participants will be randomly assigned to either Group A (Kegel-only) or Group B (Kegel + breathing exercises). Both groups will train three times weekly for eight weeks. All data analysis will be performed using SPSS version 27.

Conditions

Postpartum Complication; Strength

Keywords

Breathing exercises; Core strength; Diastasis recti abdominis; Inter recti distance; Kegel exercises; Lumbopelvic pain; Postpartum women; Stability training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Numeric pain rating scale

  This is the scale having that measures levels of pain from 0 to 11 it describes the intensity or severity of the pian

  8 weeks

• Manual muscle testing

  Pelvic floor muscle strength will be evaluated using a manual assessment technique. During the assessment, the participant will be instructed to lie in a supine position with knees bent and hands resting at their sides. Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) is a widely used, valid, and reliable method for assessing muscle strength through graded resistance applied by the examiner

  8 weeks

• Finger width method

  The measurement of diastasis recti abdominis width at the umbilicus using calipers demonstrated good reliability, with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.76 to 0.87).

  8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Stability oriented Breathing training

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will be given combined Kegel exercises and stability-oriented breathing training group with in postpartum women. This included static breathing exercises (transverse, diaphragmatic, back, and pumping breathing) in the first two weeks, followed by resistance band breathing exercises targeting core and transversus abdominis activation in weeks 3 to 4. In the final four weeks, dynamic breathing exercises such as the pelvic clock and hundreds prep will be introduced to promote core stabilization under movement.

Other: Stability Oriented Breathing Training

kegels exercises

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

This group will be given kegel exercises in postpartum women. Sessions included a 10-minute warm-up of light jogging, walking, and stretching, followed by Kegel exercises starting with 10 repetitions per movement in the first two weeks and progressing to 15 repetitions in the following two weeks. In the later weeks, load was progressively increased by extending the duration of contractions (from 5 to 8 seconds) and adding dynamic limb movements. A 3-minute rest was provided between each set, and sessions concluded with a 5-minute cool-down

Other: kegels exercises

Interventions

Stability Oriented Breathing Training OTHER

This included static breathing exercises (transverse, diaphragmatic, back, and pumping breathing) in the first two weeks, followed by resistance band breathing exercises targeting core and transversus abdominis activation in weeks 3 to 4. In the final four weeks, dynamic breathing exercises such as the pelvic clock and hundreds prep will be introduced to promote core stabilization under movement

Stability oriented Breathing training

kegels exercises OTHER

This group will be given kegel exercises in postpartum women. Sessions included a 10-minute warm-up of light jogging, walking, and stretching, followed by Kegel exercises starting with 10 repetitions per movement in the first two weeks and progressing to 15 repetitions in the following two weeks. In the later weeks, load was progressively increased by extending the duration of contractions (from 5 to 8 seconds) and adding dynamic limb movements. A 3-minute rest was provided between each set, and sessions concluded with a 5-minute cool-down

kegels exercises

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18-40 years
• Postpartum duration of 42-49 days
• Inter-recti distance (IRD) between 3-5 cm
• Numeric pain scale score ≤ 6 for pain
• No prior physiotherapy or exercise guidance received

You may not qualify if:

• Pain during the training period
• Patients with any heart or respiratory disease including excessive coughing and sneezing
• Patients with any kind of pelvic or abdominal surgery
• Significant organ dysfunction or psychiatric illness
• Diagnosis of malignant tumors

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (2)

UOL teaching hospital and sehat medical complex lahore

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

UOL teaching hospital and sehat medical complex

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Related Publications (5)

• 1. Vesting S, Olsen MF, Gutke A, Rembeck G, Larsson ME. Clinical assessment of pelvic floor and abdominal muscles 3 months post partum: An inter-rater reliability study. BMJ Open. 2021;11(9):e049082.

  BACKGROUND

• 2. Yalfani A, Bigdeli N, Gandomi F, Anvari Ali Abad R. [Proprioception and control of the lumbopelvic in women with and without diastasis rectus and their relationship with postpartum pain and disability (Persian)]. Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2020;9(4):257-67.

  BACKGROUND

• 3. Kaufmann R, Reiner C, Dietz U, Clavien P, Vonlanthen R, Käser S. Normal width of the linea alba, prevalence, and risk factors for diastasis recti abdominis in adults: a cross-sectional study. Hernia. 2022;26:609-18.

  BACKGROUND

• 4. Tuominen R, Jahkola T, Saisto T, Arokoski J, Vironen J. The prevalence and consequences of abdominal rectus muscle diastasis among Finnish women: An epidemiological cohort study. Hernia. 2022;26(2):599-608.

  BACKGROUND

• 5. Yalfani A, Bigdeli N, Gandomi F. [The effect of isometric-isotonic exercises of core stability in women with postpartum diastasis recti and its secondary disorders (randomized controlled clinical trial) (Persian)]. Journal of Health and Care. 2020;22(2):123-37.

  BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Masooma Saleem, MSPT WH

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

imran amjad, phd

CONTACT

03324390125; imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

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: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 2, 2026
• First Posted: April 9, 2026
• Study Start: August 31, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: April 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (2)