Stability-focused breathing plus Kegel exercises for abdominal separation after cesarean
Combined Effects Of Stability Oriented Breathing Exercises and Kegel's Exercises On Inter-recti Distance, Lumbopelvic Pain and Strength In Postpartum Women
NA · Riphah International University · NCT07521085
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
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Riphah International University (other) |
| Locations | 2 sites (Lahore, Punjab Province and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07521085 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
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.
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 performed: 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.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Lahore, Punjab Province and 1 other locations
- 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
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: Postpartum Complication, Strength, Breathing exercises, Core strength, Diastasis recti abdominis, Inter recti distance, Kegel exercises, Lumbopelvic pain