NCT06286553: DR-TIME

Rehabilitation of Abdominal Diastasis After Childbirth: Trunk and Inspiratory Muscle Training

Recruiting now NA Last updated 20 January 2026

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Trunk exercise in Diastasis Recti And Weakness Of The Linea Alba in 48 participants. Currently enrolling.

Timeline

11 March 2024

Primary endpoint
30 August 2025

30 May 2026

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	University of Patras
Phase	NA
Status	Recruiting now
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	randomized
Design	parallel
Masking	triple
Primary purpose	treatment
Enrollment	48
Start date	11 March 2024
Primary completion	30 August 2025
Estimated completion	30 May 2026
Sites	1 location across Greece

Drugs / interventions tested

• Trunk exercise
• Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT)
• Control Group — full drug profile →

Conditions studied

• Diastasis Recti And Weakness Of The Linea Alba — all drugs for Diastasis Recti And Weakness Of The Linea Alba →
• Diastasis, Muscle — all drugs for Diastasis, Muscle →

Sponsor

University of Patras

Who can join

Adults 18 to 50, female only, with Diastasis Recti And Weakness Of The Linea Alba or Diastasis, Muscle. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA) is the separation of the rectus muscles caused by stretching and thinning of the linea alba during pregnancy and childbirth. It's a common condition, affecting 66-100% of women post-birth and can persist for many years, leading to abdominal protrusion, discomfort, and aesthetic concerns. It might also contribute to back pain, urinary issues, and reduced abdominal strength, impacting quality of life. Recent guidelines propose that conservative management, such as rehabilitation interventions, should be prioritized for DRA. However, there is a lack of consensus among researchers regarding the most effective exercise regimen, resulting in diverse rehabilitation programs. Recent evidence advocates not only for closing the gap but also for achieving optimal function. Current studies often neglect to address functional rehabilitation, underscoring the necessity for robust clinical trials, which is the primary focus of this study.

Additionally, although breathing exercises are commonly prescribed for DRA, the precise role of the diaphragm, the primary respiratory muscle, in rehabilitation hasn't been fully examined. The diaphragm forms the upper boundary of the abdominal cavity and plays a key role in the stability of the trunk, working together with the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. A recent study found reduced diaphragm excursion in postpartum women with lumbopelvic pain during a low postural demanding task, while previous studies suggest that diaphragm training could alleviate such symptoms influencing factors such as diaphragm thickness and excursion, which may be linked to improved trunk stability. Hence, training the diaphragm and accessory inspiratory muscles through Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) could potentially play a crucial role in managing DRA.

In summary, the goal of this study is to develop and assess a comprehensive rehabilitation program aimed at effectively reducing DRA and addressing associated dysfunctions. The program will integrate evidence-based rehabilitation interventions, such as trunk stabilization exercises and IMT, targeting all related dysfunctions caused by DRA, and introducing a novel therapeutic protocol not previously implemented. The study will take the form of a prospective, randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Publications & conference data

No peer-reviewed publications indexed yet for this trial.