Physiotherapy with kinesiotherapy and physical agents to reduce postpartum diastasis recti: a randomised trial

Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is characterised by a separation of the rectus abdominis muscles, which is common in the postpartum period. This randomised controlled trial investigated the effects of a physiotherapy protocol combining abdominal exercises and physical agents-namely electromagnetic shock waves, transfer of energy capacitive and resistive (TECAR) therapy, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation-on reducing the inter-rectus distance in women with DRA six months after childbirth.

Sixty women diagnosed with DRA were randomised into three groups: kinesiotherapy (Group A); electromagnetic shock waves, TECAR therapy, and neuromuscular electrostimulation (Group B); and a combination of both (Group C). The inter-rectus distance (IRD) of participants was assessed before and after treatment, with re-evaluation conducted sixty days after the initial assessment, using ultrasound and abdominal perimeter measurements.

group C showed a 0.80 cm reduction in supraumbilical IRD when compared with Group B. In the infraumbilical region, Group C had a 0.74 cm reduction compared to Group A and 0.85 cm compared to Group B. Regarding abdominal perimeter, Groups B and C showed greater reductions in the infraumbilical circumference than Group A, with mean differences of approximately 10 cm. No significant differences were observed in the supraumbilical and umbilical regions.

the combination of kinesiotherapy and physical agents is more effective in reducing inter-rectus distance and abdominal circumference than either approach alone in postpartum women with diastasis recti abdominis.