{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,11]],"date-time":"2026-10-11T05:12:38Z","timestamp":1791695558006,"version":"4.3.4"},"reference-count":37,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,28]],"date-time":"2025-02-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1740700800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/termsAndConditions#vor"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Physiotherapy Res Intl"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,4]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>ABSTRACT<\/jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Background and Purpose<\/jats:title><jats:p>Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA) is a separation of the rectus abdominis muscles which often results from pregnancy. This meta\u2010analysis aims to identify the most effective non\u2010surgical treatment to reduce post\u2010partum DRA.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>A comprehensive search was performed on electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases for RCTs involving abdominal or pelvic muscle exercises, and abdominal binding for DRA Reduction. Primary outcomes included inter\u2010recti distance (IRD) Resolution, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, and Pelvic Floor Disability Index (PFDI) score. ROB 2.0 tool was used for the risk of bias assessment of RCTs. Meta\u2010analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.4. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the influence of studies on the overall results. Meta regression was performed using <jats:italic>R<\/jats:italic> version 4.4 to identify the sources of heterogeneity.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>Thirteen RCTs were included in the analysis. Abdominal exercise significantly reduced IRD below the umbilicus compared with abdominal binding (Mean difference [MD]\u00a0=\u00a0\u22120.31, 95% CI: \u22120.53 to \u22120.10, <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u00a0=\u00a00.004) but was ineffective for IRD resolution\u00a0\u2265\u00a02\u00a0cm above the umbilicus (MD\u00a0=\u00a00.22, 95% CI: \u22121.43 to 1.88, <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u00a0=\u00a00.79). Compared with no intervention, abdominal exercise significantly reduced IRD below the umbilicus (MD\u00a0=\u00a0\u22120.31, 95% CI: \u22120.53 to \u22120.10, <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u00a0=\u00a00.004) but was ineffective in IRD resolution\u00a0\u2265\u00a02\u00a0cm above the umbilicus (MD\u00a0=\u00a00.11, 95% CI: \u22120.38 to 0.59, <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u00a0=\u00a00.67). No significant reduction was found in the ODI score (MD\u00a0=\u00a0\u22125.57, 95% CI: \u221219.31 to 8.17, <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u00a0=\u00a00.43) and PFDI score (MD\u00a0=\u00a0\u221212.99, 95% CI: \u221243.49 to 17.51, <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u00a0=\u00a00.04).<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Discussion<\/jats:title><jats:p>Abdominal exercises reduce IRD below the umbilicus more effectively than binding and no intervention, but their effectiveness above the umbilicus is unclear. ODI and PFDI showed no significant improvement. Further research with standardized criteria and diverse population is needed to clarify the efficacy of these treatments for diastasis recti.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1002\/pri.70038","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,10]],"date-time":"2025-03-10T22:57:35Z","timestamp":1741647455000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["Comparative Efficacy of Abdominal Exercises and Abdominal Binding on Diastasis Recti Abdominis Reduction in Postpartum Women: A Systematic Review and Meta\u2010Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials"],"prefix":"10.1002","volume":"30","author":[{"family":"Abdullah","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine Rawalpindi Medical University  Rawalpindi Pakistan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0002-2150-4489","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Khawaja Abdul","family":"Rehman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of Dentistry  Lahore Pakistan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Bilal","family":"Ahmad","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine DG Khan Medical College  Bahawalpur Pakistan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Muhammad Khubaib","family":"Arshad","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine Rawalpindi Medical University  Rawalpindi Pakistan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Humza","family":"Saeed","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine Rawalpindi Medical University  Rawalpindi Pakistan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mahnoor Asghar","family":"Keen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine Khyber Medical College  Peshawar Pakistan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Amna","family":"Anwar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine Federal Medical College  Islamabad Pakistan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Noor ul ain","family":"Saleem","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry  Lahore Pakistan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Umm E.","family":"Salma Shabbar Banatwala","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine Dow University of Health Sciences  Karachi Pakistan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Zara","family":"Bilal","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine Bahria University Medical and Dental College  Karachi Pakistan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Maryam","family":"Shahzad","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine Dow University of Health Sciences  Karachi Pakistan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Pakeeza","family":"Shakoor","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine Karachi Medical and Dental College  Karachi Pakistan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Muhammad Ahsen","family":"Niazi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine Dow University of Health Sciences  Karachi Pakistan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_12_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physio.2023.02.002"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physio.2013.08.005"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12891\u2010016\u20100875\u20104"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1457496920961000"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10029\u2010021\u201002468\u20108"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/14651858.Ed000142"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.math.2014.09.002"},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_2_12_9_1","first-page":"75","article-title":"Effect of Abdominal Exercises versus Abdominal Supporting Belt on Post\u2010partum Abdominal Efficiency and Rectus Separation","volume":"7","author":"El\u2010Mekawy H. S.","year":"2013","journal-title":"International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences"},{"issue":"04","key":"e_1_2_12_10_1","article-title":"Effects of Crunch Abdominal Exercise in the Closure of Recti Abdominis Muscles Separation in Multigravidas: A Quasi\u2010Experimental Study","volume":"45","author":"Emeka I. S.","year":"2022","journal-title":"Teikyo Medical Journal"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bjpt.2021.06.006"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ptj\/pzy008"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_13_1","volume-title":"StatPearls","author":"Hall H.","year":"2023"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/bjs\/znab128"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fsurg.2019.00065"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ejogrb.2023.03.040"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/JWH.0b013e318276f35f"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/09593985.2019.1675207"},{"issue":"6","key":"e_1_2_12_19_1","first-page":"182","article-title":"Effects of Abdominal Exercises on Reduction of Diastasis Recti in Postnatal Women","volume":"6","author":"Khandale S. R.","year":"2016","journal-title":"International Journal of Health Sciences & Research"},{"issue":"3","key":"e_1_2_12_20_1","first-page":"400","article-title":"Postpartum Exercise Intervention Targeting Diastasis Recti Abdominis","volume":"14","author":"Laframboise F. C.","year":"2021","journal-title":"International Journal of Exercise Science"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12905\u2010023\u201002775\u20105"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2015.5459"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surge.2020.07.003"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.9789\/2175\u20105361.rpcfo.v13.9555"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/diagnostics12092044"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.32598\/irj.20.4.1185.4"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.18502\/jfrh.v15i3.7139"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_28_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physio.2015.04.004"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_29_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4082\/kjfm.22.0035"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_30_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2478\/hukin\u20102013\u20100070"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_31_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports\u20102016\u2010096065"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_32_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/jwh.0000000000000101"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_33_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00192\u2010019\u201004005\u20109"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_34_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/09593985.2022.2100300"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_35_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.15537\/smj.2016.1.12865"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_36_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2147\/ijwh.S437088"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_37_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2147\/ijwh.S169504"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_38_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ejo\/cjv034"}],"container-title":["Physiotherapy Research International"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1002\/pri.70038","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,22]],"date-time":"2025-05-22T09:20:15Z","timestamp":1747905615000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/pri.70038"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,28]]},"references-count":37,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,4]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1002\/pri.70038"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/pri.70038","archive":["Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["1358-2267","1471-2865"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1358-2267","type":"print"},{"value":"1471-2865","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,28]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2024-11-04","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2025-02-08","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2025-02-28","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}],"article-number":"e70038"}}