Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Strength Recovery of Postnatal Diastasis Recti Abdominis Muscles.
10.5535/arm.2017.41.3.465
- Author:
Dalia M KAMEL
1
;
Amel M YOUSIF
Author Information
1. Department of Physiotherapy for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. dshewitta@ahlia.edu.bh
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Abdominal muscles;
Diastasis recti;
Postnatal care;
Electrical stimulation therapy;
Exercise
- MeSH:
Abdominal Muscles;
Body Mass Index;
Electric Stimulation Therapy;
Electric Stimulation*;
Exercise;
Female;
Humans;
Muscles*;
Outcome Assessment (Health Care);
Postnatal Care;
Torque
- From:Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
2017;41(3):465-474
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the recovery of abdominal muscle strength in postnatal women with diastasis of recti abdominis muscles (DRAM). METHODS: Sixty women, 2 months postnatal, participated in this study. They were divided randomly into two equal groups. Group A received NMES in addition to abdominal exercises; group B received only abdominal exercises. The intervention in both groups was for three times per week for 8 weeks. The outcome measures were body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, inter recti distance (IRD), and abdominal muscle strength in terms of peak torque, maximum repetition total work, and average power. RESULTS: Both groups showed highly significant (p<0.05) improvement in all outcomes. Further, intergroup comparisons showed significant improvement (p<0.05) in all parameters in favor of group A, except for the BMI. CONCLUSION: NMES helps reduce DRAM in postnatal women; if combined with abdominal exercises, it can augment the effects.
