Stability-focused breathing plus Kegel exercises for abdominal separation after cesarean
Official title: Combined Effects Of Stability Oriented Breathing Exercises and Kegel's Exercises On Inter-recti Distance, Lumbopelvic Pain and Strength In Postpartum Women
Run by Riphah International University · NCT07521085 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This test sees if adding stability-focused breathing exercises to Kegel routines helps postpartum women with abdominal separation, weaker core muscles, and lower back/pelvic pain after cesarean delivery.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Riphah International University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Lahore, Punjab Province and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 31, 2025 |
| Main results expected | September 2026 |
| Study ends | September 2026 |
| Registry record updated | April 9, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07521085 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Women aged 18–40 who are 42–49 days postpartum after cesarean delivery, have an inter-recti distance of 3–5 cm, report pain ≤6 on a 10 cm scale, and have not received prior physiotherapy are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Women with IRD outside 3–5 cm, significant heart or respiratory disease, recent pelvic or abdominal surgery, severe pain during training, major organ dysfunction, psychiatric illness, or malignancy are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled trial will assign postpartum women after cesarean delivery to either Kegel-only or Kegel plus stability-oriented breathing exercise groups. Each group will perform supervised sessions three times weekly for eight weeks, with 66 participants planned per group allowing for a 10% dropout. Outcomes include inter-recti distance measured clinically, pelvic floor muscle strength, and lumbopelvic pain on a 10 cm numeric scale, and data will be analyzed using SPSS v27. Recruitment uses convenience sampling at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital and Sehat Medical Complex in Lahore, Pakistan.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the combined program could reduce abdominal separation, improve pelvic floor and core strength, and decrease lumbopelvic pain, speeding postpartum recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous programs combining breathing and pelvic-floor exercises have shown promising but mixed effects on diastasis recti and pelvic pain, and high-quality randomized evidence is still limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * • Age between 18-40 years * Postpartum duration of 42-49 days * Inter-recti distance (IRD) between 3-5 cm * Numeric pain scale score ≤ 6 for pain * No prior physiotherapy or exercise guidance received Exclusion Criteria: * • Pain during the training period * Patients with any heart or respiratory disease including excessive coughing and sneezing * Patients with any kind of pelvic or abdominal surgery * Significant organ dysfunction or psychiatric illness * Diagnosis of malignant tumors
Where it's running
-
UOL teaching hospital and sehat medical complex lahore
Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan Recruiting -
UOL teaching hospital and sehat medical complex
Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Masooma Saleem, MSPT WH — Riphah International University
- Study coordinator: imran amjad, phd
- Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk
- Phone: 03324390125
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Scapular posterior tilt exercises versus cross-body stretches for rounded shoulders after childbirth
This 4-week program tests whether scapular posterior tilt exercises or cross-body stretches help breastfeeding and posture in postpartum women with rounded shoulders.
-
MediDrink Platinum+ with a new fava bean protein and optional PeptiStrong to improve fitness in older adults with sarcopenia
This trial will see if MediDrink Platinum+ with a novel protein blend, given alone or together with PeptiStrong, improves fitness in malnourished adults aged 60 and older who have sarcopenia.
-
Remote monitoring program for postpartum hypertension in Rhode Island
This study is testing a new remote monitoring program for postpartum hypertension to see if it helps new moms manage their blood pressure better than the usual self-check methods.
-
Plyometric exercises for female fast bowlers
This study is testing if plyometric exercises can help female fast bowlers improve their strength, balance, and power to boost their performance and reduce the risk of injuries.
-
Reducing postpartum blood loss with coagulation factor XIII
This study is testing if giving a treatment called coagulation factor XIII can help reduce heavy bleeding after childbirth in women who have had a vaginal delivery.
-
Improving postpartum care for new mothers
This study tests if a text message program can help new mothers in South Carolina get better postpartum care and catch health problems early compared to regular in-person visits.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.