Combined Effects of Abdominal Drawing-In Maneuver and Resisted Ankle Dorsiflexion on Pain, Muscle Strength, and Quality of Life in Women with Postpartum Diastasis Recti

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the combined effects of the drawing-in maneuver and resisted ankle dorsiflexion on pain, inter-recti distance, abdominal strength, and quality of life in postpartum women with diastasis recti. This randomized controlled trial includes females aged 20 to 45 years who are between 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum, aiming to understand how these exercises together impact recovery after childbirth. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one performing the drawing-in maneuver alone and the other combining this maneuver with resisted ankle dorsiflexion. Both interventions will be done twice weekly for six weeks. The drawing-in maneuver involves holding contractions for 10 seconds repeated 10 times per session, while resisted ankle dorsiflexion includes pulling the toes toward the shin against resistance with sets of repetitions for each leg. During the study, participants will be assessed at baseline and after six weeks of treatment. Evaluations will include pain measurement using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, inter-recti distance with a caliper, abdominal strength via manual muscle testing, and quality of life through the SF-36 questionnaire. The data will be analyzed to compare the effects of the two exercise regimens, with the study lasting until August 2026.

Effects of Drawing in Maneuver and Resisted Ankle Dorsiflexion in Postpartum Diastasis Recti