Abstract

DRA (Diastasis rectus abdominis) is a gynecological condition that can manifest with symptoms with a visible bulge in the abdomen, especially when contracting abdominal muscles, and may be accompanied by lower back pain, poor posture, and difficulty with daily tasks. While the classic presentation of DRA involves deficits, it is essential to recognize the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in postpartum women with diastasis recti. This manuscript comprehensively reviews the literature examining the effectiveness of Physiotherapy interventions in postpartum women with diastasis recti. A thorough search of Pubmed and Google Scholar was conducted to identify relevant articles published between 2013 and 2023. Seven studies were selected for analysis, illustrating various interventions in postpartum women with diastasis recti. It may lead to the timely diagnosis and physiotherapy management in postpartum women. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimal physiotherapy treatment strategies for postpartum women with diastasis recti.

• 1.   Thabet AA, Alshehri MA. Efficacy of deep core stability exercise program in postpartum women with diastasis recti abdominis: a randomized controlled trial. J Musculoskeletal Neuronal Interact. 2019 Mar 1;19(1):62-68. PMID: 30839304; PMCID: PMC6454249.
• 2.   Gluppe S, Engh ME, Bø 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; PMCID: PMC8721086.
• 3.   Keshwani N, Mathur S, McLean L. The impact of exercise therapy and abdominal binding in the management of diastasis recti abdominis in the early post-partum period: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Physiother Theory Pract. 2021 Sep;37(9):1018-1033. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2019.1675207. Epub 2019 Oct 23. PMID: 31642725.
• 4.   Theodorsen NM, Fersum KV, Moe-Nilssen R, Bo K, Haukenes I. Effect of a specific exercise program during pregnancy on diastasis recti abdominis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2022 Feb 4;12(2):e056558. doi: 10.1136/ bmjopen-2021-056558. PMID: 35121606; PMCID: PMC8819813.
• 5.   Weingerl I, Kozinc Ž, Šarabon N. The Effects of Conservative Interventions for treating Diastasis Recti Abdominis in Postpartum Women: a Review with Meta-analysis. SN Compr Clin Med. 2023;5(1):10. doi: 10.1007/ s42399-022-01353-4. Epub 2022 Nov 29. PMID: 36466120; PMCID: PMC9707186.
• 6.   Sanjivani Ramesh Khandale and Deepali Hande. Effects of abdominal exercise on Diastasis Recti for postpartum women.
• 7.   Benjamin DR, van de Water AT, Peiris CL. Effects of exercise on diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle in the antenatal and postnatal periods: a systematic review. Physiotherapy. 2014 Mar;100(1):1-8. doi 10.1016/j.physio.2013.08.005. Epub 2013 Oct 5. PMID: 24268942.
• 8.   Shohaimi S, Husain NRN, Zaki FM, Atan IK. Split Tummy Exercise Program for Reducing Diastasis Recti in Postpartum Primigravidae: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Korean J Fam Med. 2023 Mar;44(2):102-108. doi: 10.4082/ kjfm.22.0035. Epub 2023 Mar 20. PMID: 36966740; PMCID: PMC10040268.
• 9.   Hall H, Sanjaghsaz H. Diastasis Recti Rehabilitation. 2023 Aug 8. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. PMID: 34424636.
• 10.   Michalska A, Rokita W, Wolder D, Pogorzelska J, Kaczmarczyk K. Diastasis recti abdominis - a review of treatment methods. Ginekol Pol. 2018;89(2):97-101. doi: 10.5603/GP.a2018.0016. PMID: 29512814.
• 11.   Gluppe SB, Ellström Engh M, Bø K. Curl-up exercises improve abdominal muscle strength without worsening inter-recti distance in women with diastasis recti abdominis postpartum: a randomized controlled trial. J Physiother. 2023 Jul;69(3):160-167. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2023.05.017. Epub 2023 Jun 5. PMID: 37286390.

Data Sharing Statement

Funding