Efficacy and Challenges in the Treatment of Diastasis Recti Abdominis-A Scoping Review on the Current Trends and Future Perspectives

Menaka Radhakrishnan, Karthik Ramamurthy, Menaka Radhakrishnan, Karthik Ramamurthy

Abstract

Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is more prevalent in women during pregnancy and postpartum. However, there is a lack of awareness regarding this condition among women. The prevalence of DRA is high in late pregnancy and reduces during postpartum. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the treatment strategies for DRA and to discuss the significance of the technology towards better diagnosis and treatment. This work investigated 77 research articles published in the recognized research databases. The study aims to analyze the diagnostic and treatment procedures and the role of technology within them. The management strategy for DRA can either be conservative or surgical. Exercise therapy has been shown to improve functional impairments. These exercises focus on recruiting the abdominal muscles. Electromyography and Ultrasound imaging have been employed as useful tools in assessing the abdominal muscles effectively. This study has examined the treatment methods for DRA to obtain a better understanding of the existing methods. Further investigation and experimentation into therapeutic exercises is strongly recommended to identify the best set of exercises for a faster resolution. Further studies regarding the role of technology to assess therapeutic exercises would be worthwhile.

Keywords: DRA; EMG; physiotherapy; rehabilitation.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 4
Figure 4
Diastasis Recti at different locations [33].
Figure 1
Figure 1
Search strategy and filtering process.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Year-wise distribution of the reviewed articles.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Anatomy of abdominal muscles [2].

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