Creation and Validation of a Questionnaire on Diastasis Recti Signs and Symptoms

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are conducting an observational study to develop and validate a specific questionnaire for women with diastasis recti abdominis (DRA), a condition where the abdominal muscles separate along the midline. DRA affects many women postpartum and can lead to symptoms like lower back, pelvic, and abdominal pain, urinary incontinence, and negative impacts on body image and quality of life. The study aims to create a tool that evaluates these symptoms and their consequences beyond just anatomical measurement of muscle separation. The study involves several stages: a systematic literature review to identify relevant symptoms and impacts, an online survey to gather patient-reported experiences, expert panel review to refine questionnaire items, and pilot testing with women who have DRA. After finalizing the questionnaire, researchers will validate it by assessing its reliability and accuracy in a group of adult women attending a physiotherapy clinic. Participants will also complete comparative questionnaires to measure quality of life, gastrointestinal symptoms, functioning, body image, social relationships, and psychological distress. Participants will complete the newly developed questionnaire and related surveys at the start and again after 7 to 10 days to assess consistency over time. The study involves collecting demographic data and detailed self-reported measures regarding DRA symptoms and their effects. Researchers will analyze the questionnaire's psychometric properties to ensure it effectively captures the impact of DRA on women's lives. The total participation includes initial assessments and a follow-up to evaluate test-retest reliability.

Creation and Validation of a Questionnaire Evaluating Diastasis Recti