Effect of Russian Current Stimulation on Abdominal Strength and Endurance in Postnatal Diastasis Recti: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Afaf Mohamed Mahmoud Botla, Marwa Shafiek Mustafa Saleh

Afaf Mohamed Mahmoud Botla, Marwa Shafiek Mustafa Saleh – Effect of Russian Current Stimulation on Abdominal Strength and Endurance in Postnatal Diastasis Recti: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Fizjoterapia Polska 2020; 20(1); 16-22

Abstract
Background. Postnatal diastasis recti (DR) can result in cosmetic defects, psychological discomfort, and other related problems such as low back pain (LBP) and pelvic instability. Although, Russian current stimulation is one of the most widely used modalities for improving muscle strength, there is still inconclusive evidence to support its effectiveness in patients with postnatal DR. Objective. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Russian current stimulation on abdominal strength and endurance in postnatal DR. Methods. Thirty six women suffering from postnatal DR randomly assigned to study or a control group. The control group (n = 18) participated in an abdominal exercise program for 30 minutes per session, whereas the study group (n = 18) received Russian stimulation to rectus abdominis muscles in addition to the same abdominal exercise program. Outcome measures included inter recti distance (IRD), waist/hip ratio (WHR), abdominal muscle strength (peak torque, maximum repetition total work, and average power), abdominal endurance and body appreciation. Measures were assessed for all participants in both groups before and after 6 weeks of treatment program. Results. Analysis showed that both groups had improved in all outcomes measures. Further, there was a significant difference between the two groups in favor of the study group for all of the measured variables. Conclusions. The study showed that adding Russian current stimulation to abdominal exercises program is more effective than abdominal exercises program only in treatment of postnatal DR.

Key words:
Diastasis recti, Abdominal exercises, Russian stimulation, Abdominal strength, Abdominal endurance

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