This study is aimed to determine the effects of Abdominal Hypopressive exercises on IRD, Lumbopelvic pain, Body Image and abdominal muscle function in postpartum women.
Postnatal women wish to resume abdominal exercises shortly after delivery to improve trunk function and restore the pre-pregnant state of the body. Diastasis recti is a common occurrence in the postpartum period which is associated with both physical impairments and body image concerns. Despite the high prevalence, treatment options are still being explored to identify the best approach to resolve it. Exercise is a conservative method to reduce IRD and improve the associated symptoms and quality of life of postpartum females. Most of the previous studies have used either digital nylon calipers or digital palpation methods for the outcome assessment of DrA which has important implications. Fewer studies have used the gold standard US diagnosis. Despite various studies being conducted on the effect of exercise on DrA, the results are still nonconclusive with a deficiency of a standardized protocol. Multifaceted and clinically meaningful assessments have been proposed to be investigated by the previous literature.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
38
Week 1 and 2 - Patient education , Hypopressive Maneuvers in Standing, Sitting and Supine 5-7 repetitions x 5 sets, with a 10-second hold each time, rest for 30 seconds between each set, 2 days/week. Week 3 and 4, Hypopressive breathing in with varying arm movements along with Week 1 and 2 protocols. Week 5 to 8 - Hypopressive breathing in kneeling, Four-point kneeling and sitting, and supine positions with varying arm movements 5-7 repetitions x 5 sets, with a 10-second hold each time, rest for 30 seconds between each set, 2 days/week.
Week 1 to 4, Draw-in maneuver in supine, Quadruped and Prone lying, Bent knee Fallouts and Curl ups. (8 to 12 repetitions x 3 sets, 2 days/week) Week 5 to 8, Front and side planks added to week 1 to 4 exercises. (12 to 20 repetitions x e sets, 2 days/week)
Attock Hospital (Private) Limited
Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, Pakistan
Inter Recti Distance
Changes from baseline Ultrasound imaging (US) is the gold standard for IRD assessment. USI is an accurate and valid method of measuring IRD size and location. Patient will be graded as having an IRD of \> 22 mm, 3 cm below the umbilicus OR \> 20 mm at the umbilicus OR \>14 mm, 3 cm above the umbilicus.
Time frame: 8th Week
Lumbopelvic Pain
Changes from baseline The NPRS is a segmented numeric version of the visual analog scale (VAS) in which a respondent selects a whole number (0-10 integers) that best reflects the intensity of his/her pain. Zero usually represents 'no pain at all' whereas the upper limit of 10 represents 'the worst pain ever possible'.
Time frame: 8th Week
The Oswestry Disability Index
Changes from baseline The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is a validated, 10-point patient-reported outcome questionnaire. The final score/index ranges from 0-100. A score of 0-20 reflects minimal disability, 21-40 moderate disability, 41-60 severe disability, 61-80 crippled, and 81-100 bed-bound.
Time frame: 8th Week
Body Shape Questionnaire
Changes from baseline the Body shape questionnaire is a self-reported measurement of body shape concerns designed for women to measure concerns about body image problems. The questionnaire has 34 items scored from 1 to 6 points. The overall total score range is between 34 to 204.
Time frame: 8th Week
Double Leg lowering test
Changes from baseline Double leg lowering test is used to assess abdominal muscles and the ability of muscles to maintain the posterior pelvic tilting position against the load. In this test Both legs are raised to a 90-degree angle (vertically) while keeping the upper body flat on the floor. The score is the angle of the legs in degrees from the floor. Total score ranges from 0 to 90 degrees, where 0 degree corresponds to excellent and 90 degrees is for very poor.
Time frame: 8th Week
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