Effect of Four Exercises on the Inter-recti Distance in Women (Traecho)

Effect of Four Abdominal and Pelvic Exercises on the Inter-recti Distance in Women: an Observational Study

Diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA) is defined as an excessive separation between the two abdominal rectus muscles. It is generally quantified by the inter-recti distance. In postpartum women, the prevalence of diastasis is 60% six weeks after delivery.

The increase in the inter-recti distance has been associated with a decrease in strength and endurance of the trunk flexors and rotators (p < 0.05). Exercise during pregnancy has been shown to be helpful in the treatment of DRA. Nevertheless, there is still not strong evidence to establish what kind of exercise should be recommended during pregnancy and in postpartum.

The aim of this study is to compare the morphological and functional changes of the linea alba during four exercises.

Inter-recti distance, linea alba thickness and distortion index will be measured at rest, as well as during 4 exercises (draw in maneuver, crunch, pelvic floor muscle contraction and a "de Gasquet" exercise). Subgroup analysis will be performed to determine if the presence or absence of an abdominal diastasis has an influence on these outcomes.

A cross-sectional pilot study will be carried out. The main outcome measure will the inter-recti distance. Secondary outcomes will be the thickness of linea alba and distortion index.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Diastasis, Muscle

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 54

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Montserrat Rejano-Campo, MSc; Phone Number: 0033627083914; Email: montserejano@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 16 years to 78 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult parous women attending to several physiotherapy centers in Paris will be recruited

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults
• Parous
• Women
• Accepting to participe in the research

Exclusion Criteria:

• Under curatorship
• Persons deprived of their liberty by judicial or administrative decision
• Having intellectual limitations that may limit the understanding of questionnaires or exercises
• With limitations in understanding the French language
• Pregnant women
• History of pelvic / spine fractures
• History of pelvic surgery
• History of spinal surgery
• History of abdominal surgery
• History of lower limbs weakness, changes in osteotendinous reflexes or loss of sensitivity

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Other
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Inter-recti distance	The distance between the two medial borders of rectus abdominis muscles is measured using ultrasound	During the exercise

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Linea alba thickness	Linea alba thickness is measured using ultrasound	During the exercise
Distortion index of the linea alba	Average deviation of the linea alba from the shortest path between the recti measured using ultrasound	During the exercise

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Transversus abdominis thickness	Transversus abdominis thickness at 1cm lateral from the fascia transversalis measured using ultrasound	During the exercise
Current lumbopelvic pain intensity	Current lumbopelvic pain will be measured using a visual analog scale	During the assessement
Acute lumbopelvic pain severity	The participants will be asked about their lumbopelvic pain mean intensity in the last week using a visual analog scale	During the assessement
Chronic lumbopelvic pain severity	The participants will be asked about their lumbopelvic pain mean intensity in the last 6 months using a visual analog scale	During the assessement
Urinary symptoms	Urinary symptoms will be measured using the Urinary Symptom Profile questionnaires	During the assessement

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: APOR B de Gasquet

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Anticipated): September 25, 2020
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): February 1, 2021
• Study Completion (Anticipated): May 1, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 9, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 2, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): August 6, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 6, 2020
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 2, 2020
• Last Verified: August 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: transversus abdominis, diastasis rectus abdominis, exercise, pelvic floor muscles
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Joint Dislocations; Diastasis, Muscle
• Other Study ID Numbers: TrAEcho01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: Undecided

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No