Postpartum Complication, Strength
Conditions
Keywords
Breathing exercises, Core strength, Diastasis recti abdominis, Inter recti distance, Kegel exercises, Lumbopelvic pain, Postpartum women, Stability training
Brief summary
The postpartum period often presents challenges such as increased inter-recti distance (diastasis recti), lumbopelvic pain, and reduced core strength. This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the combined effects of stability-oriented breathing exercises and Kegel exercises on inter-recti distance (IRD), lumbopelvic pain, and muscle strength in postpartum women. A total sample size of 66 participants per group was determined with a 10% dropout rate accounted for. The study will use a non-probability convenience sampling technique. It will be conducted at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital and Sehat Medical complex. Inclusion criteria include women aged 18-40 years, with a history of cesarean sections, an IRD between 3-5 cm. Outcome measures include IRD , pelvic floor muscle strength, lumbopelvic pain (measured using a 10 cm numeric pain scale). Participants will be randomly assigned to either Group A (Kegel-only) or Group B (Kegel + breathing exercises). Both groups will train three times weekly for eight weeks. All data analysis will be performed using SPSS version 27.
Detailed description
The postpartum period often presents challenges such as increased inter-recti distance (diastasis recti), lumbopelvic pain, and reduced core strength. This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the combined effects of stability-oriented breathing exercises and Kegel exercises on inter-recti distance (IRD), lumbopelvic pain, and muscle strength in postpartum women. A total sample size of 66 participants per group was determined with a 10% dropout rate accounted for. The study will use a non-probability convenience sampling technique. It will be conducted at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital and Sehat Medical complex. Inclusion criteria include women aged 18-40 years, with a history of cesarean sections, an IRD between 3-5 cm. Outcome measures include IRD , pelvic floor muscle strength, lumbopelvic pain (measured using a 10 cm numeric pain scale). Participants will be randomly assigned to either Group A (Kegel-only) or Group B (Kegel + breathing exercises). Both groups will train three times weekly for eight weeks. All data analysis will be performed using SPSS version 27.
Interventions
OTHERStability Oriented Breathing Training
This included static breathing exercises (transverse, diaphragmatic, back, and pumping breathing) in the first two weeks, followed by resistance band breathing exercises targeting core and transversus abdominis activation in weeks 3 to 4. In the final four weeks, dynamic breathing exercises such as the pelvic clock and hundreds prep will be introduced to promote core stabilization under movement
OTHERkegels exercises
This group will be given kegel exercises in postpartum women. Sessions included a 10-minute warm-up of light jogging, walking, and stretching, followed by Kegel exercises starting with 10 repetitions per movement in the first two weeks and progressing to 15 repetitions in the following two weeks. In the later weeks, load was progressively increased by extending the duration of contractions (from 5 to 8 seconds) and adding dynamic limb movements. A 3-minute rest was provided between each set, and sessions concluded with a 5-minute cool-down
Sponsors
Riphah International University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
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
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Numeric pain rating scale | 8 weeks | This is the scale having that measures levels of pain from 0 to 11 it describes the intensity or severity of the pian |
| Manual muscle testing | 8 weeks | Pelvic floor muscle strength will be evaluated using a manual assessment technique. During the assessment, the participant will be instructed to lie in a supine position with knees bent and hands resting at their sides. Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) is a widely used, valid, and reliable method for assessing muscle strength through graded resistance applied by the examiner |
| Finger width method | 8 weeks | The measurement of diastasis recti abdominis width at the umbilicus using calipers demonstrated good reliability, with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.76 to 0.87). |
Countries
Pakistan
Contacts
CONTACTimran amjad, phd
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMasooma Saleem, MSPT WH
Riphah International University
Outcome results
None listed