Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39666696›Full record

Trial reportPloS one2024

Effect of hypopressive and conventional abdominal exercises on postpartum diastasis recti: A randomized controlled trial.

Mercedes Soto-González, Iria Da Cuña-Carrera, Eva María Lantarón-Caeiro, Augusto Gil Pascoal

Registry-linked trialAbstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT05439668 (Comparison of Two Abdominal Exercise Programs on the Interrect Distance in Postpartum Woman), which is not on this map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT05439668 nacompletednot on this map

Comparison of Two Abdominal Exercise Programs on the Interrect Distance in Postpartum Woman

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of VigoRan2022 to 2022Enrolled23ConditionsPostpartum PeriodArmsClassic abdominal strengthening exercises, Hypopressive abdominal exercises program
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Mercedes Soto-GonzálezFaculty of Physical Therapy, Department on Functional Biology and Health Science, University of Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain.ORCID 0000-0001-6541-988X
Iria Da Cuña-CarreraFaculty of Physical Therapy, Department on Functional Biology and Health Science, University of Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-9507-789X
Eva María Lantarón-CaeiroFaculty of Physical Therapy, Department on Functional Biology and Health Science, University of Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-5625-7628
Augusto Gil PascoalFaculty of Human Kinetics, Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance, Biomechanics and Functional Morphology Laboratory, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-7389-1452

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDiastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles along the linea alba, often occurring during pregnancy due to hormonal and mechanical changes. While DRA usually resolves post-childbirth, some women experience persistent issues. Exercise may help reduce the inter-rectus distance, though more research is needed.

objectivesAnalyze the immediate and long-term effects of hypopressive and conventional abdominal exercises on inter-rectus distance (IRD) in postpartum women, focusing on parity differences.

methodsTwenty-eight women who met specific inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either the hypopressive group (n = 14) or the conventional group (n = 14). The exercise programs for both groups lasted 6 weeks. Ultrasound measurements were taken of the IRD at two locations above the umbilicus, 2 cm (AB2) and 5 cm (AB5), before and after exercise programs.

resultsThe IRD decreased after both exercise programs compared to baseline measurements in AB2 (mean difference: 3.06 mm, 95% CI: 1.06 to 5.05) and in AB5 (mean difference: 2.88 mm, 95% CI: 1.59 to 4.17), confirming the long-term effect of exercise. No differences were found between the application of the conventional exercise program or the hypopressive exercises, indicating that both had a similar positive effect. Regarding the immediate effect, after the performance of both programs, the IRD was greater during rest compared to abdominal contraction. This effect was more pronounced at AB5 location (mean difference: 1.00mm, 95% CI: 0.97 to 1.89). Conventional exercises result in a reduction during resting condition (mean difference: 4.52mm, 95% CI: 2.62 to 6.79), whereas with hypopressive exercises, the reduction occurs during muscle contraction (mean difference: 3.43mm, 95% CI: 1.21 to 5.65). With regard to parity, multiparous women benefit most from the application of exercise programs.

conclusionA reduction in IRD has been achieved with the implementation of both exercise programs in postpartum women, with multiparous women benefiting the most. Specifically, at 5 cm above umbilicus, conventional exercises result in a reduction during the rest condition, whereas with hypopressive exercises, the reduction occurs during muscle contraction.

trial registrationClinical trial registration: NCT05439668.

Indexed as

Diastasis, MuscleExercise TherapyPostpartum PeriodRectus AbdominisAdultExerciseFemaleHumansPregnancyUltrasonographyYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID39666696
PMCPMC11637234

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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.