Comparative Effects of Telerehabilitation Versus In-Person Core Stability Training in Postpartum Women

August 10, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Comparative Effects Of Telerehabilitation And In-Person Core Stability Training On Inter Recti Distance And Body Image In Postpartum Women.

Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is common among postpartum women and can negatively affect abdominal muscle function and body image. Core stability exercises are widely recommended for postpartum rehabilitation; however, access to supervised physiotherapy may be limited. Tele rehabilitation may improve accessibility while maintaining treatment effectiveness. This randomized controlled trial compares tele rehabilitation-based and in-person supervised core stability exercise programs in postpartum women with diastasis recti. The primary objective is to compare changes in inter-recti distance, while the secondary objective is to compare changes in body image after an 8-week intervention

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of tele rehabilitation-based versus in-person supervised core stability exercises in postpartum women diagnosed with diastasis recti abdominis. Fifty-four participants will be randomly allocated to either a tele rehabilitation group or an in-person supervised exercise group. Both groups will receive the same standardized 8-week core stability exercise program consisting of three supervised sessions per week. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention. Primary outcome will be inter-recti distance measured using a digital nylon caliper. Secondary outcome will be body image measured using the Body Image State Scale (BISS). The findings will help determine whether tele rehabilitation provides comparable clinical outcomes to conventional supervised physiotherapy for postpartum rehabilitation.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

54

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 0423
        • Recruiting
        • Lifezone medical and diagnostic center lahore
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Rida Ijaz

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria: Participants falling in this category would be recruited into the study.

  • 6 weeks to 6 months postpartum
  • Multiparous or primiparous
  • Diagnosis of diastasis recti (IRD ≥ 2cm)/
  • Able to use or operate digital/electronic devices
  • With internet access and the ability to participate in remote group sessions.

Exclusion Criteria: Participants fall in this category would be excluded of the study.

  • Significant musculoskeletal or systemic comorbidities i.e. diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, Severe psychiatric disorders, Active malignancy.
  • Prior major abdominal or pelvic surgery (except cesarean)
  • Any Contraindications to exercise.
  • Recent/Current pregnancy.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Telerehabilitation Group
Participants allocated to this arm will receive a hybrid telerehabilitation-based core stability exercise program over 8 weeks. Baseline assessment will be conducted in a clinical setting prior to intervention. The program consists of three sessions per week (45-60 minutes each) on non-consecutive days, including warm-up, structured core stability exercises, and cool-down.
Other: Telerehabilitation
Participants were assessed at baseline by a physiotherapist and attended supervised in-clinic follow-up sessions every two weeks to monitor progress and ensure correct exercise performance. Individualized exercise demonstrations were recorded on participants' mobile devices to facilitate home-based practice. The intervention consisted of an 8-week progressive postpartum exercise program beginning at 6 weeks postpartum, including pelvic floor muscle (Kegel) exercises, abdominal bracing, trtransversus abdominis (TrA) activation, and pelvic tilts. Exercise dosage (sets, repetitions, hold time, and fast contractions) was progressively increased each week according to the study protocol to improve pelvic floor muscle strength, core stability, and lumbopelvic control.
Active Comparator: In-Person Exercise Group
Participants allocated to the in-person comparator arm will receive a supervised, clinic-based core stability exercise program for 8 weeks. Baseline assessment will be conducted prior to initiation in a clinical setting.
Other: In-Person
Participants were assessed at baseline by a physiotherapist and participated in supervised in-person group exercise sessions for 8 weeks, beginning at 6 weeks postpartum. The intervention followed the same progressive exercise protocol as the telerehabilitation group and included pelvic floor muscle (Kegel) exercises, abdominal bracing, transversus abdominis (TrA) activation, and pelvic tilts, with weekly progression in sets, repetitions, hold duration, and fast contractions. The physiotherapist provided real-time supervision, exercise correction, and progression throughout the intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Digital Nylon Caliper
Time Frame: Baseline (pre-Intervention) Post-Intervention (after 8 weeks)
Digital nylon calipers are recognized as both reliable and valid for measuring inter-recti distance (IRD), Measurements of inter recti distance will be taken at the umbilicus and at standardized points 4.5 cm above and 4.5cm below umbilicus.
Baseline (pre-Intervention) Post-Intervention (after 8 weeks)
Body Image Scale (BISS)
Time Frame: Baseline Post-Intervention (after 8 weeks)
The Body Image State Scale (15) is a validated, self-reported tool for assessing body image, satisfaction, and emotional responses. BISS scoring uses the mean of the six items (each scored 1-9) with certain items reverse-scored (items 2, 4, and 6), and higher totals signal higher body satisfaction. The scale is tested for reliability and validity in various populations, including postpartum women, with Cronbach's alpha generally reported around 0.82-0.83 for internal consistency.
Baseline Post-Intervention (after 8 weeks)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Riphah International University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Rida Ijaz, MSPT(WH), Riphah International University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

August 10, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

October 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 4, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 4, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

August 7, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 12, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 10, 2026

Last Verified

August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Rida Ijaz

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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