Efficacy of deep core stability exercise program in postpartum women with diastasis recti abdominis: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at discovering the efficacy the deep core stability exercise program has on the closure of diastasis recti and on the overall improvement in the quality of life for postpartum women. METHODS: The study group consisted of forty women with diastasis recti, aged between 23 and 33 who were randomly divided into two groups. The 20 women in the first group underwent a deep core stability-strengthening program plus traditional abdominal exercises program, 3 times a week, for a total duration of 8 weeks. The other 20 women, forming the second group, only underwent the traditional abdominal exercises program, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Following this procedure, the inter-recti separation was measured using digital nylon calipers while the quality of life was measured by Physical Functioning Scale (PF10) for all the participants. RESULTS: As a result of the use of the deep core stability exercise program, inter-recti separation had a high statistically relevant decrease, (P<0.0001), showing a highly statistically relevant improvement with regard to the quality of life in the study groups (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The deep core stability exercise program is effective in treating diastasis recti and improving postpartum women’s quality of life.