Effectiveness of Kinesio taping along with core strengthening exercises on diastasis recti abdominis following full term normal delivery in primiparous females: an experimental study

Saee Sohoni; Priti Patil

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20262283

Authors

Saee Sohoni PES Modern College of Physiotherapy, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Priti Patil PES Modern College of Physiotherapy, Pune, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20262283

Keywords:

Diastasis recti abdominis, Kinesio taping, Core strengthening, Postpartum, Primiparous females

Abstract

Background: Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a common musculoskeletal condition in postpartum women which is characterized by separation of the rectus abdominis muscles due to stretching of the linea alba. It affects functional stability, posture, and quality of life. Conservative physiotherapy interventions such as core strengthening exercises and Kinesio taping (KT) have shown potential benefits. However, limited literature exists on their combined effect in primiparous females following normal vaginal delivery.

Methods: This experimental study included 33 primiparous females aged 18–35 years, in 4–6 weeks postpartum period following full-term normal delivery. The participants were selected using purposive sampling. Baseline diastasis recti abdominis was measured using Vernier calipers. All the participants underwent a 4-week intervention consisting of Kinesio taping along with progressive core strengthening exercises. Post-intervention measurements were recorded, and data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Results: The mean pre-intervention DRA value was 3.17±0.47 cm, which reduced to 2.79±0.38 cm post-intervention. Statistical analysis showed a significant reduction in the inter-recti distance (W=465, p<0.001), with a mean difference of 0.40 cm (95% CI: 0.35-0.50). The effect size was large (r=1), indicating strong clinical significance.

Conclusions: The combination of Kinesio taping and core strengthening exercises is effective in reducing diastasis recti abdominis in primiparous females following a full term normal vaginal delivery. This combined intervention can be recommended as a non-invasive and clinically effective approach for postpartum rehabilitation.

References

Fiat F, Merghes PE, Scurtu AD, Almajan Guta B, Dehelean CA, Varan N, et al. The main changes in pregnancy—therapeutic approach to musculoskeletal pain. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58(8):1115.

Radhakrishnan M, Ramamurthy K. Efficacy and challenges in the treatment of diastasis recti abdominis: a scoping review on current trends and future perspectives. Diagnostics (Basel). 2022;12(9):2044.

Corvino A, De Rosa D, Sbordone C, Nunziata A, Corvino F, Varelli C, et al. Diastasis of rectus abdominis muscles: patterns of anatomical variation as demonstrated by ultrasound. Pol J Radiol. 2019;84:e542-8.

Sperstad JB, Tennfjord MK, Hilde G, Ellström-Engh M, Bø K. Diastasis recti abdominis during pregnancy and 12 months after childbirth: prevalence, risk factors and report of lumbopelvic pain. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(17):1092-6.

Flament JB. Functional anatomy of the abdominal wall. Chirurg. 2006;77(5):401-7.

Thabet AA, Alshehri MA. Efficacy of deep core stability exercise program in postpartum women with diastasis recti abdominis: a randomized controlled trial. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2019;19(1):62-8.

Chen B, Zhao X, Hu Y. Rehabilitations for maternal diastasis recti abdominis: an update on therapeutic directions. Heliyon. 2023;9(10):e20956.

Mostafavifar M, Wertz J, Borchers J. A systematic review of the effectiveness of kinesio taping for musculoskeletal injury. Phys Sportsmed. 2012;40(4):33-40.

Lopes M, Torres R, Romão D, Dias M, Valério S, Espejo-Antúnez L, et al. Kinesiology tape increases muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity: effects of the direction of tape application. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2022;29:85-91.

Ptaszkowska L, Górecka J, Paprocka-Borowicz M, Walewicz K, Jarząb S, Majewska-Pulsakowska M, et al. Immediate effects of kinesio taping on rectus abdominis diastasis in postpartum women—preliminary report. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(21):11397.

Preethi PA, Vijayalakshmi K, Moses S, Mathipriya K, Elizabeth ND, Pavithralochani V. Effects of kinesiotaping along with abdominal and pelvic floor exercise on diastasis recti abdominis for postpartum women in normal delivery versus LSCS. Biomedicine. 2022;42(1):143-7.

Salekzamani Y, Moradian M, Eftekharsadat B, Mirghafourvand M, Hasanpour S, Asghari KM, et al. The effect of kinesio taping on diastasis recti abdominis in postpartum: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Curr Womens Health Rev. 2025;21(5):e15734048319390.

Jaiswal S, Dhankar S, Deshpande S, Arora SP. A comparative study on prevalence of diastasis recti in primipara and multipara undergone full term normal delivery: a research protocol. Indian J Forensic Med Toxicol. 2021;15(1):646-9.

Hall H, Sanjaghaz H. Diastasis recti rehabilitation. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024.

Gurşen C, İnanoğlu D, Kaya S, Akbayrak T, Baltacı G. Effects of exercise and kinesio taping on abdominal recovery in women with cesarean section: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2016;294(3):491-8.

Desai NM, Tsukerman A. Vaginal delivery. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.