Diastasis Recti And Weakness Of The Linea AlbaNCT07639125
Effect of Exercise on the Width and Stiffness of the Linea Alba in Postpartum Women With Diastasis
A study testing Exercise program in people with Diastasis Recti And Weakness Of The Linea Alba, run by University of Vigo at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
his study aims to evaluate the effect of an exercise program in postpartum women with diastasis recti, defined as an inter-rectus distance greater than 2 cm at any of three ultrasound measurement points . Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Diastasis Recti And Weakness Of The Linea Alba
- What is being tested?
- Exercise program
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- Jun 2026to 30 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 18 years and older
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adult woman (> 18 years old)
- Women who agreed to participate and provided written informed consent
- Women between 6 and 12 weeks postpartum at the time of recruitment.
Who cannot join
- History of previous abdominal surgery ( except cesarean section)
- Presence of abdominal or umbilical hernias
- Current pregnancy
- Neuromuscular or systemic conditions affectinf the abdominal wall
- Active infections
- Any condition that could intervere with the correct execution of the measurement protocol.
- Incomplete records or measurements that do not meet elastography quality criteria will be excluded.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Spain1 site
Maternatal center
Madrid
Sara Cañamero de León, Midwife, +34 ext. +3910 83 37 58, saramatrona@gmail.com
About this study
his study aims to evaluate the effect of an exercise program in postpartum women with diastasis recti, defined as an inter-rectus distance greater than 2 cm at any of three ultrasound measurement points . Participants will be divided into two groups: an intervention group that will follow a 6-week exercise program and a control group that will receive usual care.
Ultrasound assessment of the linea alba will be performed before the intervention and after 6 weeks. The main outcomes will be inter-rectus distance and the stiffness of the linea alba measured using shear wave elastography, along with obstetric and personal clinical variables. Participants will be recruited from primary care centers in the Community of Madrid through midwives during postpartum consultations.
Read the detailed description
In this study, the effect of an exercise program on postpartum women with diastasis will be evaluated. Diastasis will be defined as an inter-rectus distance greater than 2 cm at any of the points assessed by ultrasound (5 cm above the navel, at the level of the navel, and 2 cm below the navel).
Participants will be divided into two groups: one group will receive an exercise program for 6 weeks, while the other group will serve as the control group, receiving usual care. An ultrasound assessment of the linea alba will be performed before the start of the study and after 6 weeks.
The main variables evaluated will be inter-rectus distance and the stiffness of the linea alba measured by shear wave elastography, in addition to obstetric and personal variables obtained from the medical history. Participants will be recruited from primary care centers in the Community of Madrid through midwives during postpartum consultations.
- Being tested
- Exercise program
- Keywords
- diastasis recti, Postpartum woman, exercise therapy, ultrasound
- 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.
Exercise programOther
Also called exercise therapy
Structured therapeutic exercise program aimed at restoring functional integritu of the abdominal-lumbo-pelvic complex over a six week period. The exercise program was based on activation of the transversus abdominis muscle, synergistic co-activation with the pelvic floor muscles, breathing re-education, and the integration of hypopressive abdominal exercises.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise group | Experimental | This group follows an exercise program for 6 weeks. Receives: Other: Exercise program |
| Control group | No intervention | This group does not follow the exercise program and continues with their usual care through the public healthcare system, which does not include any intervention for diastasis. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Interrectus distance
This group does not follow the exercise program and continues with their usual care through the public healthcare system, which does not include any intervention for diastasis.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks.
Stiffness of the linea Alba
CopilotThe stiffness of the linea alba will be measured at three points (5 cm above the navel, at the level of the navel, and 2 cm below the navel) using shear wave elastography.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Jun 2026
- Study startJun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- 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
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Vigo
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Iria Da Cuña Carrera, University of Vigo
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07639125
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Postpartum_exercise
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 10 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Wang L, Yun T, Zhang D, Zhong J, Yi D, Fu W, Li M, Zhang Y, Wang Y. A prospective study of two-dimensional ultrasonography combined with shear wave elastography for pregnancy-related diastasis recti abdominis. Front Physiol. 2024 May 27;15:1382982. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1382982. eCollection 2024.
PubMed 38860113Garcia Gonzalez P, Escoda Menendez S, Meana Moris AR. Elastography in musculoskeletal imaging: A tool or a toy? Radiologia (Engl Ed). 2022 Nov-Dec;64(6):566-572. doi: 10.1016/j.rxeng.2021.08.003.
PubMed 36402542de Oliveira LC, de Almeida LIM, Lucio MCF, Campos Junior JF, de Oliveira RG. Effects of conservative approaches for treating diastasis recti abdominis in postpartum women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025 Jun 6;104(23):e42723. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000042723.
PubMed 40489856Canamero-de Leon S, Soto-Gonzalez M, Da Cuna-Carrera I, Pascoal AG. Using Shear Wave Elastography for Morphofunctional Analysis of Abdominal Muscles: A Scoping Review. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2025 Oct;51(10):1629-1638. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2025.04.016. Epub 2025 Jul 12.
PubMed 40653396Huang M, Huang Z, Huang H. Precision medicine exploration of postpartum rectus abdominis muscle separation: from basic research to clinical practice. BMC Surg. 2025 Nov 14;25(1):550. doi: 10.1186/s12893-025-03285-x.
PubMed 41239353Beamish N, Green N, Nieuwold E, McLean L. Differences in Linea Alba Stiffness and Linea Alba Distortion Between Women With and Without Diastasis Recti Abdominis: The Impact of Measurement Site and Task. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2019 Sep;49(9):656-665. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2019.8543. Epub 2019 Mar 26.
PubMed 30913968
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Exercise on the Width and Stiffness of the Linea Alba in Postpartum Women With Diastasis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07639125
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Postpartum_exercise
- Keywords
- diastasis recti, Postpartum woman, exercise therapy, ultrasound
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of VigoUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 10 Jun 2026 (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.
his study aims to evaluate the effect of an exercise program in postpartum women with diastasis recti, defined as an inter-rectus distance greater than 2 cm at any of three ultrasound measurement points . Participants will be divided into two groups: an intervention group that will follow a 6-week exercise program and a control group that will receive usual care.
Ultrasound assessment of the linea alba will be performed before the intervention and after 6 weeks. The main outcomes will be inter-rectus distance and the stiffness of the linea alba measured using shear wave elastography, along with obstetric and personal clinical variables. Participants will be recruited from primary care centers in the Community of Madrid through midwives during postpartum consultations.
Detailed description
In this study, the effect of an exercise program on postpartum women with diastasis will be evaluated. Diastasis will be defined as an inter-rectus distance greater than 2 cm at any of the points assessed by ultrasound (5 cm above the navel, at the level of the navel, and 2 cm below the navel).
Participants will be divided into two groups: one group will receive an exercise program for 6 weeks, while the other group will serve as the control group, receiving usual care. An ultrasound assessment of the linea alba will be performed before the start of the study and after 6 weeks.
The main variables evaluated will be inter-rectus distance and the stiffness of the linea alba measured by shear wave elastography, in addition to obstetric and personal variables obtained from the medical history. Participants will be recruited from primary care centers in the Community of Madrid through midwives during postpartum consultations.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise group | Experimental | Other: Exercise programThis group follows an exercise program for 6 weeks. |
| Control group | No intervention | –This group does not follow the exercise program and continues with their usual care through the public healthcare system, which does not include any intervention for diastasis. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Adult woman (> 18 years old)
- Women who agreed to participate and provided written informed consent
- Women between 6 and 12 weeks postpartum at the time of recruitment.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- History of previous abdominal surgery ( except cesarean section)
- Presence of abdominal or umbilical hernias
- Current pregnancy
- Neuromuscular or systemic conditions affectinf the abdominal wall
- Active infections
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise programAlso: exercise therapyStructured therapeutic exercise program aimed at restoring functional integritu of the abdominal-lumbo-pelvic complex over a six week period. The exercise program was based on activation of the transversus abdominis muscle, synergistic co-activation with the pelvic floor muscles, breathing re-education, and the integration of hypopressive abdominal exercises. | Other | Exercise group |
Primary outcome
Interrectus distance
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks.
This group does not follow the exercise program and continues with their usual care through the public healthcare system, which does not include any intervention for diastasis.
Stiffness of the linea Alba
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks.
CopilotThe stiffness of the linea alba will be measured at three points (5 cm above the navel, at the level of the navel, and 2 cm below the navel) using shear wave elastography.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Jun 2026.
- Background: PubMed 38860113Wang L, Yun T, Zhang D, Zhong J, Yi D, Fu W, Li M, Zhang Y, Wang Y. A prospective study of two-dimensional ultrasonography combined with shear wave elastography for pregnancy-related diastasis recti abdominis. Front Physiol. 2024 May 27;15:1382982. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1382982. eCollection 2024.
- Background: PubMed 36402542Garcia Gonzalez P, Escoda Menendez S, Meana Moris AR. Elastography in musculoskeletal imaging: A tool or a toy? Radiologia (Engl Ed). 2022 Nov-Dec;64(6):566-572. doi: 10.1016/j.rxeng.2021.08.003.
- Background: PubMed 40489856de Oliveira LC, de Almeida LIM, Lucio MCF, Campos Junior JF, de Oliveira RG. Effects of conservative approaches for treating diastasis recti abdominis in postpartum women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025 Jun 6;104(23):e42723. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000042723.
- Background: PubMed 40653396Canamero-de Leon S, Soto-Gonzalez M, Da Cuna-Carrera I, Pascoal AG. Using Shear Wave Elastography for Morphofunctional Analysis of Abdominal Muscles: A Scoping Review. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2025 Oct;51(10):1629-1638. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2025.04.016. Epub 2025 Jul 12.
- Background: PubMed 41239353Huang M, Huang Z, Huang H. Precision medicine exploration of postpartum rectus abdominis muscle separation: from basic research to clinical practice. BMC Surg. 2025 Nov 14;25(1):550. doi: 10.1186/s12893-025-03285-x.
- Background: PubMed 30913968Beamish N, Green N, Nieuwold E, McLean L. Differences in Linea Alba Stiffness and Linea Alba Distortion Between Women With and Without Diastasis Recti Abdominis: The Impact of Measurement Site and Task. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2019 Sep;49(9):656-665. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2019.8543. Epub 2019 Mar 26.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Exercise program in people with Diastasis Recti And Weakness Of The Linea Alba, run by University of Vigo at 1 site in Spain.
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 7 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Jun 2026. 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 Spain. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Iria Da Cuña Carrera, Physiotherapy (+34 986801750, iriadc@uvigo.es), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Interrectus distance (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07639125, which also lists 6 linked publications.
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 10 Jun 2026.