Postpartum, Rectus Muscle Diastasis
Conditions
Keywords
rectus abdominis diastasis, radiofrequency diathermy, postpartum
Brief summary
This clinical trial aims to compare the immediate tissue response in postpartum women with and without rectus abdominis diastasis (RAD) after undergoing radiofrequency diathermy (RFD) treatment. The main question it seeks to answer is: Do postpartum women with and without RAD exhibit different acute tissue responses in terms of pressure pain threshold, superficial thermal sensitivity, and tissue elasticity? To determine whether there are differences in these acute tissue responses between the groups, researchers will compare RFD with a sham RFD intervention in postpartum women with and without RAD. Participants will receive one session of either RFD or a sham RFD intervention and will complete three assessments: one at baseline and two after the intervention, one immediately afterwards and one 20 minutes afterwards.
Detailed description
A randomised controlled experimental study will be conducted. The sample will consist of 48 postpartum women: 24 who have been diagnosed with pathological RAD and 24 who have not. The participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (i) a radiofrequency diathermy (RFD) group (n = 12), and (ii) a sham RFD group (n = 12). All participants will receive a single treatment session. Evaluations will be performed at three time points: baseline, immediately after the intervention and 20 minutes post-intervention. The variables assessed will include pressure pain threshold, superficial thermal sensitivity and tissue elasticity.
Interventions
OTHERRadiofrequency diathermy (RFD)
RFD for 20 minutes, with 10 minutes applied using the capacitive method and 10 minutes using the resistive method.
OTHERSham radiofrequency diathermy ( sham RFD)
20 minutes of application of the RFD device without energy emission. 10 minutes using the capacitative electrode, and 10 minutes using the resistive electrode.
Sponsors
University of Valencia
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
20 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Age between 20 and 45 years old. * BMI between 18.5 and 29.9 kg/mw. * Postpartum period between 6 months and 1 year Additionally, in the group of women with RAD, pathological RAD will be defined as an inter-rectus distance greater than 2.2 cm (measured 3 cm above the navel), according to the criteria of Beer et al. (2009)
Exclusion criteria
* Previous surgeries involving the abdominal wall. * Cesarean deliveries. * Women diagnosed with chronic pain
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure pain threshold | Baseline, immediately after the intervention and 20 minutes after the intervention. | The pressure pain threshold will be measured using an algometer by applying progressive force to a supraumbilical point (three centimetres above the navel, at the lateral border of the rectus abdominis on the dominant side) until the participant reports pain. A higher value indicates a higher pain threshold. |
| Superficial thermal sensitivity | Baseline, immediately after the interventino and 20 minutes after the intervention | Superficial thermal sensitivity will be assessed using the Thermal Visual Analogue Scale. For this, the capacitive electrode will be placed over the rectus abdominis on both sides for 30 seconds. Participants will then rate their thermal sensation on a scale from 0 (no heat) to 10 (maximum tolerable heat). |
| Tissue elasticity | Baseline, immediately after the interventino and 20 minutes after the intervention | The MyotonPRO® myometer will be used to measure tissue elasticity over the rectus abdominis on both sides. Higher values indicate greater stiffness and lower tissue elasticity. |
Countries
Spain
Contacts
CONTACTMarta Inglés de la Torre, PHD
Outcome results
None listed