Effect of High Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Field on Postnatal Diastasis Recti

This study will be conducted to investigate the effect of high-intensity focused electromagnetic field on postnatal diastasis recti.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Diastasis Recti
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: A program of abdominal exercises; Device: High-intensity focused electromagnetic field

Detailed Description

Rectus diastasis is a prevalent condition that can have adverse health implications for women during both the antenatal and postnatal periods of pregnancy. Diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA) has been found to affect between 30% and 70% of pregnant women, and the increased inter rectus diastasis (IRD) can persist separated in the immediate postpartum period in 35% to 60% of women.

The contraction of all abdominal muscles reduces the abdominal horizontal diameter in such a way that a horizontal force will be generated, producing the approximation of both rectus abdominis muscles, particularly at umbilical level. So, increasing the abdominal muscles strength have proven to bring the left and right sides of the rectus diastasis together, convert the abdomen into a rigid cylinder and minimize the additional stress on the trunk or back.

High-intensity focused electromagnetic technology induces a rapidly changing magnetic field that triggers supramaximal abdominal muscle contractions, not achievable voluntarily. In response, the abdominal muscles grow and strengthen, which lead to a tighter abdomen; thus, increasing the strength and the contour of the abdominal muscles.

To date, few investigations have been conducted to evaluate the effects of high-intensity focused electromagnetic field on changes in the abdominal subcutaneous fat, thickness and separation. But, till now there is no previous study investigated its effect on diastasis recti in postnatal women. Hence, the present study will be conducted to examine the effect of high-intensity focused electromagnetic field on diastasis recti in postnatal women which is anticipated to offer significant benefits to medical service organizations and contribute to the expanding knowledge base of physical therapists in the scientific domain.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 42
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Salsabil Ahmed Hassan, B.Sc; Phone Number: +20 10 68030335; Email: salsabiloraby5@gmail.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Manal Ahmed El-Shafei Mohamed, PhD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Postnatal women (6 months after delivery) having diastasis recti (separation between the two recti more than 2.5cm at the level of umbilicus) diagnosed and referred from the obstetrician.
• Multiparous women (2-3) times delivered vaginally with or without episiotomy.
• Their ages will range from 25 -35 years old.
• Their BMI will be less than 30 kg/cm2.
• All women will be of sedentary lifestyle.
• They will be clinically and medically stable when attending the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cardiac disorders.
• Active cancer.
• Medical condition contraindicating the application of an electromagnetic field as epilepsy or having metal implants
• Abdominal or back surgery.
• Abdominal hernia.
• History of abnormal pregnancy, uterine fibroid or polyhydramnios during pregnancy.
• Neurological disorders as multiple sclerosis, stroke and spinal lesion.
• Musculoskeletal diseases such as fractures and muscle strains which may affect their physical activity.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: A program of abdominal exercises; It will consist of 21 postpartum women who will only participate into a program of abdominal exercises, 20 minutes, 3 times /week for 8 weeks.	Other: A program of abdominal exercises; All women in both groups will be adhered to a program of abdominal strengthening exercise that includes static abdominal, abdominal crunch, and external oblique exercises. Each exercise will be repeated 15 times and will be increased by five repetitions each week throughout the study period, with total time of 20 minutes/ session, 3 times weekly for 8 weeks.
Experimental: High-intensity focused electromagnetic field + A program of abdominal exercises; It will consist of 21 postpartum women who will receive high-intensity focused electromagnetic field for 30 minutes, 2 times /week for 8 weeks, in addition to a program of abdominal exercises for 20 minutes, 3 times /week for 8 weeks.	Other: A program of abdominal exercises; All women in both groups will be adhered to a program of abdominal strengthening exercise that includes static abdominal, abdominal crunch, and external oblique exercises. Each exercise will be repeated 15 times and will be increased by five repetitions each week throughout the study period, with total time of 20 minutes/ session, 3 times weekly for 8 weeks.; Device: High-intensity focused electromagnetic field; High-intensity focused electromagnetic field will be administered only to the experimental group, targeting the abdominal region for 30 minutes per session, twice weekly for 8 weeks. Sessions will be performed in the supine position, with the applicator centered over the umbilicus and secured to prevent movement. Stimulation intensity will start at 0% and be gradually increased to achieve strong yet tolerable muscle contractions, guided by continuous visual monitoring and patient feedback to ensure comfort and uniform abdominal activation.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Inter-recti distance (IRD) 3 cm above the umbilicus	IRD at 3 cm above the umbilicus will be measured using diagnostic ultrasound to assess upper abdominal rectus separation. Assessments will be performed at baseline and after 8 weeks for both groups by the same radiologist. Participants will be positioned in relaxed crook-lying, with the transducer placed perpendicular to the linea alba. Measurements will be taken at the end of normal expiration.	8 weeks
Inter-recti distance at the level of the umbilicus	IRD at the umbilical level will be evaluated using real-time ultrasound at baseline and post-intervention for all participants. Examinations will be conducted by the same radiologist under standardized conditions. With participants in a relaxed crook-lying position, the transducer will be positioned over the umbilicus, and IRD will be measured between the medial borders of the rectus muscles at end-expiration.	8 weeks
Inter-recti distance 3 cm below the umbilicus	IRD 3 cm below the umbilicus will be assessed by ultrasound to reflect lower abdominal rectus separation. Measurements will be obtained at baseline and after 8 weeks for both groups by the same radiologist. Participants will lie in a supported crook-lying position, with the transducer placed perpendicular to the linea alba, and readings taken at the end of normal expiration.	8 weeks
Right rectus abdominis muscle thickness	Thickness of the right rectus abdominis will be measured using ultrasound at baseline and after 8 weeks for all participants. Assessments will be conducted by the same radiologist with participants in a relaxed crook-lying position. The probe will be placed perpendicular at the umbilical-midintercostal intersection, and measurements will be taken at the end of normal expiration.	8 weeks
Left rectus abdominis muscle thickness	Ultrasound will be used to assess left rectus abdominis thickness before and after the 8-week intervention in both groups. Measurements will be performed by the same radiologist with participants in a supported crook-lying position. The transducer will be positioned perpendicular at the standardized anatomical landmark, and images will be captured at end-expiration.	8 weeks
Right external oblique muscle thickness	Right external oblique muscle thickness will be evaluated using diagnostic ultrasound at baseline and post-intervention. All measurements will be performed by the same radiologist with participants in a relaxed crook-lying position. The probe will be placed perpendicular at the designated site, and readings will be recorded at the end of normal expiration.	8 weeks
Left external oblique muscle thickness	Thickness of the left external oblique muscle will be assessed by ultrasound at baseline and after 8 weeks. Examinations will be conducted by the same radiologist with participants in a supported crook-lying position. The transducer will be positioned perpendicularly at the standardized location, and measurements will be obtained at end-expiration.	8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
one-minute sit-up test	Abdominal muscle strength and endurance will be evaluated before and after the intervention using the one-minute sit-up test. Participants will lie supine with knees flexed and feet stabilized, then perform as many sit-ups as possible within one minute. Each repetition involves touching the knees with the elbows and returning to the floor. The total number of repetitions will be recorded, with higher scores indicating greater abdominal strength and endurance.	8 weeks
Inventory of Functional Status After Childbirth (IFSAC) questionnaire	Functional status will be assessed using the Inventory of Functional Status After Childbirth (IFSAC) questionnaire. All participants in Groups A and B will complete the questionnaire at baseline and after completion of the study program. The IFSAC is a validated and reliable instrument designed to evaluate postpartum functional performance across five domains: infant care, personal care, household activities, social and community participation, and occupational activities. The questionnaire consists of 36 items rated on a four-point scale, with higher mean scores indicating better functional status.	8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Cairo University
• Investigators: Study Chair: Soheir Mahmoud El-Kosery, PhD, Professor, Cairo university; Study Director: Manal Ahmed El-Shafei Mohamed, PhD, Ass. Professor, Cairo University; Study Director: Mohammed Fathi Abo Hashim, PhD, Assis. Professor, Zagazig University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 24, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 24, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 2, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 2, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 24, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: P.T.REC/012/005282

Drug and device information, study documents

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