Impact of Post-Cesarean Abdomino-Pelvic Training on Diastasis Recti and Sexual Function

NCT07575490 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: HRÜ/26.04.16
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the effects of a specific exercise program on physical recovery and sexual health in women who have had a cesarean section. Pregnancy and abdominal surgery can lead to a separation of the abdominal muscles, known as Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA), and may affect pelvic health and sexual function. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will participate in a 6-week "Structured Abdomino-Pelvic Power-Training" program starting at the 6th week after surgery. This program includes specific exercises to strengthen the core and pelvic floor muscles. The control group will follow the standard routine postpartum care. The researchers will use ultrasound and Doppler imaging to measure the distance between the abdominal muscles and the blood flow in the pelvic area at the beginning of the study and after 6 weeks of training. Participants will also complete a validated questionnaire (FSFI) to evaluate their sexual function. The goal of the research is to determine if this structured exercise program helps close the abdominal gap more effectively and improves pelvic blood flow and sexual well-being compared to standard care.

Conditions

Diastasis Recti Abdominis Postpartum Period Cesarean Section Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Keywords

Vaginal Doppler; Pelvic Hemodynamics; Abdomino-pelvic Training; FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index); Post-cesarean Recovery; Core Stabilization; Uterine Artery Doppler

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Inter-recti Distance (IRD)

  The distance between the medial borders of the two rectus abdominis muscles, measured in centimeters (cm) using linear probe ultrasonography to evaluate the severity of Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA).

  From baseline (6th week postpartum) to the completion of the exercise program (3rd month postpartum).

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group: Abdomino-Pelvic Power-Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will participate in a 6-week "Structured Abdomino-Pelvic Power-Training" program, starting at the 6th week postpartum. The intervention consists of: Clinical Sessions: Once-a-week supervised training sessions conducted at the hospital to ensure correct technique. Home Exercise Program: Prescribed daily exercises to be performed by the participant at home for the remaining 6 days of the week. Core Stabilization: Specific exercises targeting the rectus abdominis, obliques, and transversus abdominis muscles to reduce inter-recti distance (IRD). Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT): Structured contractions aimed at improving pelvic floor strength and hemodynamics. Monitoring: Progress will be monitored during weekly clinical visits, and the intensity will be adjusted based on participant tolerance.

Other: Abdomino-Pelvic Power-Training Program

Control Group: Standard Postpartum Care

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm will follow the standard routine postpartum care and follow-up protocol provided by the clinic. They will not participate in the structured abdomino-pelvic or pelvic floor exercise program during the 6-week study period. All clinical assessments, including ultrasound measurements for inter-recti distance, pelvic Doppler imaging, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaires, will be performed at the same time intervals as the intervention group (at the 6th week and 3rd month postpartum) to provide a comparative baseline for the study.

Other: Standard Postpartum Follow-up

Interventions

Abdomino-Pelvic Power-Training Program OTHER

A 6-week structured exercise program including one weekly supervised clinical session and daily home exercises. It focuses on core stabilization (rectus abdominis, obliques, transversus abdominis) to reduce inter-recti distance and Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT) to improve strength and hemodynamics.

Intervention Group: Abdomino-Pelvic Power-Training

Standard Postpartum Follow-up OTHER

Participants will follow the routine clinical postpartum follow-up protocol. This includes standard medical advice and assessments at the 6th week and 3rd month postpartum, without participation in the structured exercise program.

Control Group: Standard Postpartum Care

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Women who have undergone an elective cesarean section.
• Participants who are at their 6th week postpartum at the start of the study.
• Aged between 18 and 45 years.
• Volunteering to participate and capable of signing the informed consent form.

You may not qualify if:

• Multiparous women (those with more than one delivery).
• Women with a history of previous abdominal or pelvic surgery (other than the current C-section).
• Presence of chronic diseases (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, or connective tissue disorders).
• Any musculoskeletal or neurological condition that prevents participation in an exercise program.
• History of pelvic organ prolapse or severe urinary incontinence prior to pregnancy.
• Active pelvic or abdominal infection.
• Participants who have already started a structured postpartum exercise program elsewhere.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Harran University: lead

Study Sites (2)

Harran University Research and Application Hospital

Sanliurfa, HALİLİYE, 63300, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Harran University Research and Application Hospital

Şanliurfa, HALİLİYE, 63300, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Central Study Contacts

MEHMET İNCEBIYIK, MD, Asst. Prof.

CONTACT

+905353374889; drmehmetincebiyik@gmail.com

ismail palalı, PhD, Asst. Prof.

CONTACT

ismail.palali01@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The primary investigator and the radiologist (outcomes assessor) performing the ultrasonographic measurements and Doppler evaluations will be blinded to the group assignments of the participants. To ensure effective masking, the participant will be instructed not to disclose their involvement in the exercise program to the assessor during the clinical follow-up and measurement sessions. Data analysis will be conducted by a statistician who is also masked to the allocation groups.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor, MD

Model Details: Model Description This is a prospective, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Randomization: Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to either the Intervention Group or the Control Group with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Randomization will be performed using a computer-generated random sequence to ensure unbiased distribution. Intervention Arm: Participants in this group will undergo a 6-week "Structured Abdomino-Pelvic Power-Training" protocol. This includes core stabilization and pelvic floor muscle exercises, initiated at the 6th week postpartum. Control Arm: Participants in this group will receive standard postpartum care and follow-up without any structured exercise intervention. Follow-up: Both groups will be evaluated at baseline (6th week postpartum) and immediately following the 6-week study period (3rd month postpartum) to compare clinical, morphometric, and hemodynamic outcomes.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 2, 2026
• First Posted: May 8, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (2)