{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,14]],"date-time":"2026-09-14T20:57:44Z","timestamp":1789419464914,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"University of Toronto Press Inc. (UTPress)","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Physiotherapy Canada"],"abstract":"<jats:p> Purpose: To determine feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing postpartum rectus abdominis training with transversus abdominis training in reducing the inter-recti distance in patients with diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles (DRAM). Method: A pilot, randomized controlled trial with longitudinal assessment following vaginal delivery at 6 and 12 weeks postpartum was completed. Forty-four women with DRAM (inter-recti distance of \u2265\u00a030mm as measured by digital calipers) were recruited from a regional public hospital in Australia. The standard treatment group ( n\u00a0=\u00a021) was provided with a 5-second transversus abdominis activation exercise in crook lying. The experimental group ( n\u00a0=\u00a023) was provided with a 1-second rectus abdominis crunch exercise. Dosage was between 1\u201310 repetitions at baseline and between 1\u201320 at 6 weeks, twice a day, at least 5 days per week, prescribed depending on individual participant ability. The primary outcome measure was inter-recti distance. Feasibility measures were recruitment rate, loss to follow-up, adverse events, and exercise adherence. Results: The rectus abdominis group achieved greater reduction of the inter-recti distance at 6 weeks (at and below the umbilicus) and 12 weeks (above, below, and at the umbilicus). Recruitment rate was acceptable (45%) and there were no adverse events, but loss to follow-up was high due to COVID-19 impacts and participants did not return exercise adherence diaries. Conclusion: Prescription of rectus abdominis exercise during the early postpartum period following vaginal delivery resulted in a greater reduction of the inter-recti distance at 6 and 12 weeks when compared with transversus abdominis exercise. This pilot trial was impacted by high loss to follow up due to COVID-19 restrictions, but feasibility was otherwise acceptable. The findings of the study will inform future fully powered trials comparing these two exercise types in postpartum women with DRAM. <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3138\/ptc-2021-0111","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2022,7,22]],"date-time":"2022-07-22T15:41:23Z","timestamp":1658504483000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":5,"title":["Effectiveness of Early Postpartum Rectus Abdominis versus Transversus Abdominis Training in Patients with Diastasis of the Rectus Abdominis Muscles: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial"],"prefix":"10.3138","author":[{"given":"Eloise","family":"Simpson","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"South West Healthcare Victoria, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Andrew","family":"Hahne","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"La Trobe University, Victoria, 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