Drawing-in plus resisted ankle dorsiflexion for postpartum abdominal separation
Combine Effects of Drawing in Maneuver and Resisted Ankle Dorsiflexion on Pain, Inter-recti Distance, Strength and Quality of Life in Postpartum Diastasis Recti
NA · Riphah International University · NCT07520409
This tests whether adding resisted ankle dorsiflexion to a drawing-in abdominal exercise helps postpartum women with diastasis recti reduce pain, narrow the abdominal gap, and improve core strength and quality of life.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 42 (estimated) |
| Ages | 20 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Riphah International University (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Guiranwala, Punjab Province) |
| Trial ID | NCT07520409 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled trial will enroll postpartum women aged 20–45 with diastasis recti (inter-recti distance ≥2.5 cm) and randomly assign 42 participants to either drawing-in maneuvers alone or drawing-in combined with resisted ankle dorsiflexion, delivered twice weekly for six weeks. Baseline and post-treatment measures include caliper measurement of inter-recti distance, manual muscle testing for abdominal strength, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale for pain, and the SF-36 for quality of life. Data will be collected at clinical sites including Al Zahra Hospital, Ali Medical Center, and Sharif Medical Complex and analyzed using SPSS. The protocol focuses on a short, supervised exercise program targeting core activation with an added distal resistance component.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Suitable participants are postpartum women 6 weeks to 6 months after delivery, aged 20–45, diagnosed with diastasis recti (IRD ≥ 2.5 cm), including those with multiple births.
Not a fit: People with prior abdominal surgery, pelvic organ prolapse, neurological or orthopedic disorders, current low back pain or hernia, or those who have done abdominal rehabilitation in the past three months are unlikely to be eligible or benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the combined exercises could reduce abdominal separation and pain while improving abdominal strength and quality of life for postpartum women with diastasis recti.
How similar studies have performed: Core-activation exercises like the drawing-in maneuver have shown some benefit for reducing IRD and improving symptoms in prior rehabilitation studies, but combining this with resisted ankle dorsiflexion is a novel approach that has not been widely tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Postpartum females (6 weeks to 6 months postpartum) * Diagnosed with diastasis recti (IRD ≥ 2.5 cm) * Age 20-45 years * Mode of delivery * Multiparity Exclusion Criteria: * History of abdominal surgery * Pelvic organ prolapses * Neurological or orthopedic disorders * Presence of low back pain, hernia, or musculoskeletal disorders * Participation in any other abdominal rehabilitation program in the last 3 months
Where this trial is running
Guiranwala, Punjab Province
- Al Zahra Hospital — Guiranwala, Punjab Province, Pakistan (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: hina gul, PhD* — Riphah International University
- Study coordinator: imran amjad, PhD*
- Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk
- Phone: 03324390125
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Diastasis Recti, ankle, Postpartum Period, Muscle Strength, Quality of Life, Resistance training