Impact of TECAR therapy on post-natal rectus diastasis: A randomized trial

Abstract

Background. Rectus diastasis is a common problem affecting postpartum mothers. It decreases the integrity as well as functional strength of the abdominal wall, and causes low back pain and pelvic instability Objective. To examine how TECAR therapy (monopolar capacitive resistance radiofrequency of 448 KHz) affects rectus diastasis in postpartum women. Design. A prospective randomized controlled trial. Setting. Outpatient physical therapy clinic, Kafr El Sheikh University. Methods. Forty postnatal women having diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) > 2.5 cm were recruited and randomized into two equal groups; the control group received a program of selected abdominal exercises and low caloric diet of 1200 kcal/ day for 4 weeks, and the study group received the same control group interventions in addition to TECAR application. DRA degree was the primary outcome, while weight and body mass index measures were the secondary outcomes. All variables were measured at the baseline and after 4 weeks of the intervention by rectus diastasis test, abdominal ultrasonography, and calibrated weight scale. Results. Analysis showed a significant reduction (P < .05) in weight, body mass index, rectus diastasis test, and ultrasound measures in both groups in favor of the study group Conclusion. Using TECAR with a standard program of abdominal exercises and low caloric diet has more beneficial effects on postnatal DRA than practicing the exercise program alone with the low-calorie diet.