Using stone needles therapy to help postpartum abdominal recovery

An Applied Study on the Use of Stone Needles Therapy to Assist the Rehabilitation of Maternal Diastasis Rectus Abdominis Based on the Theory of Belt Channel

Not applicable Interventional Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine · NCT06552143

This study is testing whether adding stone needles therapy to a combination of electrical stimulation and massage can help new moms recover better from abdominal issues after giving birth.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment120 (estimated)
Ages15 Years to 49 Years
SexFemale
SponsorYunnan University of Chinese Medicine Academic / other
Locations1 site (Kunming, Yunnan)
Trial IDNCT06552143 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of stone needles therapy in aiding the rehabilitation of maternal diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA) based on the Belt channel theory. Participants will receive neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with massage therapy, with some receiving an additional stone needles therapy treatment over a period of 10 days. The study aims to measure various outcomes, including abdominal circumference, inner rectus distance, body image satisfaction, and quality of life scores, to evaluate the therapy's impact on postpartum recovery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are postpartum women diagnosed with diastasis rectus abdominis who are between 42 days to 3 months post-delivery.

Not a fit: Patients with severe organ diseases, cognitive impairments, or contraindications to the therapies involved may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could significantly improve recovery outcomes for women suffering from postpartum diastasis recti.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of stone needles therapy is less common, similar approaches in rehabilitative therapies have shown promise, though this specific application is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. patients who meet the diagnostic criteria of postpartum rectus abdominis muscle separation, and the distance of rectus abdominis muscle separation is ≥3.0cm with postpartum low back pain.
2. Patients who are \>42d postpartum and have cleaned up their discharge;
3. Women who are 42day-3 mouths after normal delivery;
4. Postpartum women who have not received any other treatment before treatment in our hospital;

Exclusion Criteria:

1. With severe parenchymal organ diseases such as renal, cardiac, or hepatic diseases or due to comorbid cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease or psychological or psychiatric diseases can not complete the cooperation, etc;
2. Those with contraindications to stone therapy;
3. Those with contraindications to bioelectric stimulation therapy.
4. Combined with puerperal infection and gastrointestinal adhesion;
5. Patients with postpartum back pain due to other reasons such as lumbar disc herniation or kidney stones;
6. Patients who cannot tolerate the program;

Where this trial is running

Kunming, Yunnan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. 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 Abdominispostpartum diastasis rectus abdominis Belt channelstone needle therapyBelt channelrehabilitative nursing
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.