Effects of Corrective Versus Plank Exercises on Diastasis Recti
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: corrective exercises, Plank Exercise.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Diastasis Recti. Basic parameters: 25 years — 40 years · Female.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Pakistan
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Effects of Corrective Versus Plank Exercises on Strength, Inter Recti Distance and Pain in Females With Diastasis Recti
Overview
This study will be randomized clinical trial and will be conducted in Services Hospital and poly clinics. The total duration of treatment will be 12 weeks. Non-probability convenience sampling technique will be used and 56 participants will be recruited in study after randomization. The participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group A performs corrective exercises focused on deep core engagement, while Group B performs plank exercises aimed at overall abdominal activation. Each group follows their respective regimen three times per week for 12 weeks. Baseline EMS and pelvic floor exercises are conducted for all participants to ensure core stability before the interventions begin. Outcome measures, including manual muscle testing (MMT) for strength, and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain, are recorded both before and after the 12-week intervention. After data collection data will be analyzed by using SPSS version 25.
Interventions
- Other corrective exercises
restoration of trunk stability, and reduction of IRD through improved tensioning of the linea alba. During weeks 1-4, the program emphasized low-load activation, including transversus abdominis (TrA) drawing-in activation, posterior pelvic tilting, and modified heel slides performed with strict abdominal control. In weeks 5-8, progression was achieved through increased hold times, higher repetitions, slower tempo, and the gradual introduction of light resistance or functional integration cues wh - Other Plank Exercise
In weeks 1-4, the program began with modified plank positions using knee-and-elbow support and modified side planks, with short hold durations and adequate rest intervals. During weeks 5-8, hold times were progressively increased, and participants were introduced to controlled plank variations such as weight-shifts or arm reach tasks depending on tolerance and maintenance of neutral spine control. In weeks 9-12, progression was aimed toward longer holds and more advanced stabilization tasks, inc
Primary outcome measures
- NPRS [Time frame: 12th week]
- • MMT [Time frame: 12th week]
- inter-recti distance [Time frame: 12th week]
- Oswestry Disability Index [Time frame: 12th week]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- If IRD is greater than 4cm and above
- Postpartum females
- Three months to three years postpartum with presence of diastasis rectus abdominis
- Vaginal delivery
- Multiparous
- Pain greater than 6 on NPRS
Exclusion criteria
- Subjects with any heart condition, respiratory condition
- Any pelvic or abdominal surgery
- Any neurological disease eg preeclampsia, epilepsy
- Trauma to bowel or bladder
- Prior history of physical therapy treatment for pelvic floor issues
- Postpartum depression
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Pakistan · 1 center
- Services Hospital — Lahore
Publications
- Abdullah, Rehman KA, Ahmad B, Arshad MK, Saeed H, Keen MA, Anwar A, Saleem NUA, Salma Shabbar Banatwala UE, Bilal Z, Shahzad M, Shakoor P, Niazi MA. Comparative Efficacy of Abdominal Exercises and Abdominal Binding on Diastasis Recti Abdominis Reduction in Postpartum Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Physiother Res Int. 2025 Apr;30(2):e70038. doi: 10.100 PMID 40018828
- Benjamin DR, Frawley HC, Shields N, Peiris CL, van de Water ATM, Bruder AM, Taylor NF. Conservative interventions may have little effect on reducing diastasis of the rectus abdominis in postnatal women - A systematic review and meta-analysis. Physiotherapy. 2023 Jun;119:54-71. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2023.02.002. Epub 2023 Mar 5. PMID 36934466
- Berg-Poppe P, Hauer M, Jones C, Munger M, Wethor C. Use of Exercise in the Management of Postpartum Diastasis Recti: A Systematic Review. Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy. 2022.
- Toprak Celenay S, Balaban M, Ozer Kaya D. Immediate effects of corrective exercise versus curl-up in women with diastasis recti abdominis. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2024 Oct;40:1610-1614. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.08.011. Epub 2024 Aug 15. PMID 39593499
- Cuña-Carrera ID, Soto-González M, Alonso-Calvete A, González-González Y, Lantarón-Caeiro E. Immediate effects of different types of abdominal exercises on the inter-rectus distance. Isokinetics and exercise science. 2021
- Gluppe S, Engh ME, Bo K. What is the evidence for abdominal and pelvic floor muscle training to treat diastasis recti abdominis postpartum? A systematic review with meta-analysis. Braz J Phys Ther. 2021 Nov-Dec;25(6):664-675. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2021.06.006. Epub 2021 Jul 21. PMID 34391661
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07440836 · REC/RCR&AHS/24/0536