Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: March | Volume: 9 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 88-92
Effect of Electrical Stimulation Followed by Exercises in Postnatal Diastasis Recti Abdominis
Rutuja Amit Lalingkar1, Pranjali M. Gosavi2, Vaishali K. Jagtap2, Trupti S. Yadav2
1Intern, 2Assistant Professor,
Department of Physiotherapy, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Deemed to Be University, Karad, Maharashtra, India.
Corresponding Author: Rutuja Amit Lalingkar
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Diastasis of Rectus Abdominis Muscle is the separation of rectus abdomini muscles as a result of widening of the linea alba most commonly occurring postnatally. Significant diastasis recti was seen in 62.5% of women postnatally within 92 hours of delivery, after 6 weeks postnatally with 50% to 60% and up to 6 months with a 39% to 45% prevalence rate. Conditions like altered trunk mechanics, impaired pelvic stability, changed posture, vulnerability of lumbar spine, pelvis injury, lumbo-pelvic pain and dysfunction are the most commonly occurring complications if diastasis recti abdominis goes untreated.
Objective: To compare the effects of electrical stimulation and exercises in postnatal diastasis recti abdominis.
Materials and Methods: 20 volunteers diagnosed with diastasis recti abdominis in their postnatal period participated in the study. Diastasis recti was measured using finger width method. 10 subjects included in group A received electrical stimulation and exercises while 10 subjects in group B received conventional exercises only.
Result: Inter recti distance was significantly reduced in women given electrical stimulation above umbilicus (2.000±0.4714), at umbilicus (2.000±0.6667) and below umbilicus (1.800±0.4216).
Conclusion: The present study provided evidence to conclude that electrical stimulation when given along with exercises for patients with diastasis recti abdominis in their postnatal period was more beneficial than conventional exercises alone.
Key words: Diastasis recti abdominis, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation, inter recti distance, exercises, electrical stimulation.