Diastasis Recti and Weakness of the Linea AlbaNCT07001046
Impact of Mobile App-Based Exercises on Rectus Diastasis in Women Undergoing Cesarean Birth
A study testing Mobile app-directed exercise program and Traditional Abdominal Exercises in people with Diastasis Recti and Weakness of the Linea Alba, run by South Valley University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
Diastasis recti abdominis, or rectus diastasis, is the separation of the two parts of the rectus abdominis muscle along the midline of the linea alba, without any visible defect in the fascia. Diastasis recti abdominis is most frequent during pregnancy and postpartum especially, after cesarean birth. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 25 to 35 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Diastasis Recti and Weakness of the Linea Alba
- What is being tested?
- Mobile app-directed exercise program and Traditional Abdominal Exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2023to 26 Mar 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 25 to 35 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- First-time mothers who delivered by a cesarean birth
- Post-cesarean women between 25 and 35 years old
- Women with a Diastasis Recti of at least 1 cm separation above the umbilicus and at least 0.5 cm separation below the umbilicus
Who cannot join
- First-time mothers who delivered by a vaginal birth
- Multiparous mothers
- Those who have not a Diastasis Recti
- Mothers under 25 years old and those above 35 years old
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Egypt1 site
Faculty of physical therapy, South Valley University
Qina, Qena Governorate, 83523
About this study
Official title: Effect of Mobile App-Based Exercises on Diastasis Rectus Abdominis in Post-Cesarean Mothers: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Diastasis recti abdominis, or rectus diastasis, is the separation of the two parts of the rectus abdominis muscle along the midline of the linea alba, without any visible defect in the fascia.
Diastasis recti abdominis is most frequent during pregnancy and postpartum especially, after cesarean birth.
Read the detailed description
Cesarean births were linked to significant post-operative changes in the thickness of abdominal fasciae and muscles when compared to vaginal births and these changes may be involved in the higher rates of diastasis recti post-cesarean births.
Managing diastasis recti abdominis begins with its diagnosis, followed by targeted interventions.
Diagnosis usually involves manual palpation to estimate the gap between the rectus abdominis muscles along the tendinous sheet of the linea alba. Updated imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, are now more frequently used for diagnosis.
Treatment either surgical or conservative; emphasizes physical therapy and personalized exercise programs. This method targets strengthening specific core muscles, such as the transverse abdominis and the pelvic floor.
- Being tested
- Mobile app-directed exercise program, Traditional Abdominal Exercises
- Medical subject headings
- Diastasis Recti And Weakness Of The Linea Alba
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Mobile app-directed exercise programOther
The mobile app-guided exercise program initially asks the mother questions to collect information. These questions were about their motivation for exercise, the main exercise goal, and the area of focus in the exercise program
Traditional Abdominal ExercisesOther
The traditional abdominal exercises program consisted of simple static abdominal exercises, graduated curl-ups, and corrected abdominal crunches with posterior pelvic tilting
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Experimental | 20 first-time mothers participated in a mobile app-guided exercise program focusing on abdominal muscles. The app was downloaded during their initial visit to supplement their treatment, which they conducted at home three times a week for eight weeks. They also attended follow-up sessions once a week. Receives: Other: Mobile app-directed exercise program |
| Group B | Experimental | 20 first-time mothers participated in a specific abdominal exercise program that included static abdominal exercises, head lifts with posterior pelvic tilting, and progressive curl-up exercises. The exercises were performed for 30 minutes, three times a week, for eight weeks as part of a home routine, along with a weekly follow-up session. Receives: Other: Traditional Abdominal Exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Inter-recti Separation
The distance between the medial borders of the rectus abdominis muscles measured in Centimeters (cm) by the diagnostic Ultrasound.
Measured: Assessment was done pre treatment sessions and immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions
Secondary outcomes (3)
Abdominal muscle strength
A manual muscle test was used to assess the strength of rectus abdominis and abdominal obliques measured as an ordinal scale by a grading system of:
Grade 0: No movement and no palpable contractions are evident.
- Grade 1: No movement is possible but a flicker of a muscle contraction may be palpated.
- Grade 2: With the arms held outstretched in front of the trunk, the patient lifts the head and cervical spine off the plinth. The scapulae remain on the plinth.
- Grade 3: With the arms held outstretched in front of the trunk, the patient lifts the inferior angles of the scapulae clear of the plinth.
- Grade 4: With the arms positioned across the chest, the patient lifts the inferior angles of the scapulae clear of the plinth.
- Grade 5: With the hands positioned beside the ears, the patient lifts the inferior angles of the scapulae clear of the plinth.
Measured: Assessment was done pre treatment sessions and immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions
Girth measurements
A tape measure examined waist, Umbilical, and Hip circumferences in centimeters (cm).
Measured: Assessment was done pre treatment sessions and immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions
Satisfaction level
A Questionnaire was used to assess the level of patient satisfaction with each treatment (grade 0; non-satisfaction for those have less than 9-10 on the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP), and 1; satisfaction for those who have 9-10 on the MYMOP.
Measured: Assessment was done immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Jun 2025
- Study start1 Apr 2023
- Primary completion1 Oct 2023
- Study completion26 Mar 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Diastasis Recti and Weakness of the Linea AlbaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Two-arms Randomized Controlled Trial
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- South Valley University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mohamed Gamal Abouelyazeed Ali, South Valley University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07001046
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Mobile App-Based Exercises
- Status last verified
- Jul 2024
- First submitted
- 27 Jul 2024
- Last updated
- 19 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Aug 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Mobile App-Based Exercises on Diastasis Rectus Abdominis in Post-Cesarean Mothers: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07001046
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Mobile App-Based Exercises
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- South Valley UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Oct 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 26 Mar 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 3 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Diastasis recti abdominis, or rectus diastasis, is the separation of the two parts of the rectus abdominis muscle along the midline of the linea alba, without any visible defect in the fascia.
Diastasis recti abdominis is most frequent during pregnancy and postpartum especially, after cesarean birth.
Detailed description
Cesarean births were linked to significant post-operative changes in the thickness of abdominal fasciae and muscles when compared to vaginal births and these changes may be involved in the higher rates of diastasis recti post-cesarean births.
Managing diastasis recti abdominis begins with its diagnosis, followed by targeted interventions.
Diagnosis usually involves manual palpation to estimate the gap between the rectus abdominis muscles along the tendinous sheet of the linea alba. Updated imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, are now more frequently used for diagnosis.
Treatment either surgical or conservative; emphasizes physical therapy and personalized exercise programs. This method targets strengthening specific core muscles, such as the transverse abdominis and the pelvic floor.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Two-arms Randomized Controlled Trial
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Experimental | Other: Mobile app-directed exercise program20 first-time mothers participated in a mobile app-guided exercise program focusing on abdominal muscles. The app was downloaded during their initial visit to supplement their treatment, which they conducted at home three times a week for eight weeks. They also attended follow-up sessions once a week. |
| Group B | Experimental | Other: Traditional Abdominal Exercises20 first-time mothers participated in a specific abdominal exercise program that included static abdominal exercises, head lifts with posterior pelvic tilting, and progressive curl-up exercises. The exercises were performed for 30 minutes, three times a week, for eight weeks as part of a home routine, along with a weekly follow-up session. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 25 to 35 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- First-time mothers who delivered by a cesarean birth
- Post-cesarean women between 25 and 35 years old
- Women with a Diastasis Recti of at least 1 cm separation above the umbilicus and at least 0.5 cm separation below the umbilicus
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- First-time mothers who delivered by a vaginal birth
- Multiparous mothers
- Those who have not a Diastasis Recti
- Mothers under 25 years old and those above 35 years old
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile app-directed exercise programThe mobile app-guided exercise program initially asks the mother questions to collect information. These questions were about their motivation for exercise, the main exercise goal, and the area of focus in the exercise program | Other | Group A |
| Traditional Abdominal ExercisesThe traditional abdominal exercises program consisted of simple static abdominal exercises, graduated curl-ups, and corrected abdominal crunches with posterior pelvic tilting | Other | Group B |
Primary outcome
Inter-recti Separation
Time frame: Assessment was done pre treatment sessions and immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions
The distance between the medial borders of the rectus abdominis muscles measured in Centimeters (cm) by the diagnostic Ultrasound.
3 secondary outcomes
Abdominal muscle strength
Time frame: Assessment was done pre treatment sessions and immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions
Girth measurements
Time frame: Assessment was done pre treatment sessions and immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions
Satisfaction level
Time frame: Assessment was done immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 Aug 2025.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Mobile app-directed exercise program and Traditional Abdominal Exercises in people with Diastasis Recti and Weakness of the Linea Alba, run by South Valley University at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Aug 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Inter-recti Separation (time frame: Assessment was done pre treatment sessions and immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Aug 2025.