Effects of Pilates and Progressive Prone Plank Exercises in Diastasis Recti

NCT07576218 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR & AHS/25/0503
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to determine the comparative effects of Pilates and Progressive Prone Plank exercises on pain, strength and inter rectus distance in Diastasis Recti

Conditions

Diastasis Recti

Keywords

female; abdominal muscles; Muscle Strength; postpartum; Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

  The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a widely used subjective pain measurement tool. It was created as a simple way to assess pain severity. It has a rating range of 0 to 10, with 0 representing no pain, 5 indicating severe discomfort, and 10 denoting the greatest conceivable agony

  4th week

• Manual muscle testing

  Manual muscle testing (MMT) is a fundamental assessment method used by healthcare professionals to evaluate muscle strength, including the gluteus medius and gluteus maximus. (34) It has a scoring range from 0 to 5 where 5 shows maximum strength. It has a reliability range from 0.88 to 0.94. It also has a good validity with 0.62 to 1.00 range

  4th week

• Finger width method

  In this patient were asked to lie in a supine position in crook lying. Patient is instructed to do abdominal crunch till their shoulder is off the couch. By palpation around the protrusion along the linea alba diastasis recti is assessed with 4.5 cm above and below of umbilical. In case of less than 2 fingers breadth there is no diastasis recti. In case of 2 to 3 fingers breadth the diastasis recti is considered mild. In case of 3 to 4 fingers breadth it is considered as moderate and in case of 4 or more than 4 fingers breadth the diastasis recti is considered severe. The measurement will be done with the help of a Vernier caliper. Measurements were taken 4.5 cm above and below the umbilicus during an abdominal crunch, with the caliper placed between the palpated borders of the rectus abdominis. Three readings were taken at each point, and the average was used for analysis

  4th week

Study Arms (2)

Pilates exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

All exercises in the Pilates training group will be performed on a mat in a controlled environment under the supervision of a qualified instructor. The focus will be on core activation, controlled breathing, and maintaining neutral spine alignment throughout all movements

Other: Experimental: Pilates exercises

Progressive Prone Plank Exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will follow a structured progressive prone plank protocol designed to strengthen the core muscles, particularly targeting the transverse abdominus and rectus abdominus, which are crucial in managing Diastasis Recti. All exercises will be performed under supervision, with emphasis on correct posture, controlled breathing, and spinal alignment

Other: Progressive Prone Plank Exercises

Interventions

Experimental: Pilates exercises OTHER

It will be delivered three times per week for four weeks, with each session lasting approximately 25 minutes

Pilates exercises

Progressive Prone Plank Exercises OTHER

It will be delivered three times per week for four weeks, with each session lasting approximately 25 minutes

Progressive Prone Plank Exercises

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Diastasis Recti
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Multiparous women
• Postpartum women (within 6 to 12 months postpartum)
• BMI \<30
• IRD ≥2 cm diagnosed with Diastasis Recti (verified by ultrasound or clinical assessment)
• Participants who have undergone either vaginal delivery or cesarean section (C-section).

You may not qualify if:

• Significant pelvic floor dysfunction or pelvic organ prolapse or other related conditions
• Patient with unmanaged chronic conditions, like heart disease or hypertension
• Recent abdominal or related surgeries within the past six months
• Women who are currently pregnant or experiencing postpartum complications.
• Patient with presence of hernia.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sehat Medical Complex

Lahore, Punjab Province, 6400, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Related Publications (5)

• Cavalli M, Aiolfi A, Bruni PG, Manfredini L, Lombardo F, Bonfanti MT, Bona D, Campanelli G. Prevalence and risk factors for diastasis recti abdominis: a review and proposal of a new anatomical variation. Hernia. 2021 Aug;25(4):883-890. doi: 10.1007/s10029-021-02468-8. Epub 2021 Aug 6.

  PMID: 34363190 BACKGROUND

• Gluppe S, Ellström Engh M, Bø K. Primiparous women's knowledge of diastasis recti abdominis, concerns about abdominal appearance, treatments, and perceived abdominal muscle strength 6-8 months postpartum. A cross sectional comparison study. BMC women's health. 2022;22(1):428.

  BACKGROUND

• Lin S, Lu J, Wang L, Zhang Y, Zhu C, Qian S, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of diastasis recti abdominis in the long-term postpartum: a cross-sectional study. Scientific Reports. 2024;14(1):25640.

  BACKGROUND

• Aparicio LF, Rejano-Campo M, Donnelly GM, Vicente-Campos V. Self-reported symptoms in women with diastasis rectus abdominis: a systematic review. Journal of gynecology obstetrics and human reproduction. 2021;50(7):101995.

  BACKGROUND

• Tung RC, Towfigh S. Diagnostic techniques for diastasis recti. Hernia. 2021 Aug;25(4):915-919. doi: 10.1007/s10029-021-02469-7. Epub 2021 Jul 27.

  PMID: 34313855 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• sobia ghafoor, MSPT-OM

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

imran amjad

CONTACT

03324390125; imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 4, 2026
• First Posted: May 8, 2026
• Study Start: October 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)