Korean J Sports Med.  2024 Dec;42(4):280-288. 10.5763/kjsm.2024.42.4.280.

Effectiveness of a Mobile Application-Based Home Exercise Program for Postpartum Women with Abdominal Wall Dysfunction

• Chang AS
• Hong SJ
• Park SH
• Kim HJ
• Moon JG

• KMID: 2561756
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5763/kjsm.2024.42.4.280

Abstract

Purpose
Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a common issue among postpartum women, resulting in abdominal muscle weakness and associated problems such as back pain and urinary incontinence. However, compliance with exercise programs is often poor due to childcare demands. This study aims to assess changes in ultrasound parameters (inter-recti distance [IRD], shear wave elastography [SWE]) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) related to DRA following an online exercise program.
Methods
Sixty-seven women aged 25–35 years, who had undergone single vaginal delivery, participated in an 8-week exercise program delivered via a mobile app. Pre- and post-intervention ultrasound parameters and clinical scores for low back pain (LBP) and urinary incontinence were compared.
Results
After the 8-week program, IRD decreased and SWE increased significantly. PROs, including scores for LBP and urinary incontinence, showed significant improvement. Subgroup analysis based on initial IRD diagnostic criteria for DRA revealed significant improvements in ultrasound parameters and PROs in both groups, with greater improvements observed in those initially diagnosed with clinical DRA.
Conclusion
The 8-week online exercise program through mobile application reduced IRD, SWE, and LBP-related disability and stress urinary incontinence. In particular, IRD showed a larger decrease than the decrease reported in a recent meta-analysis. These results suggest that an online exercise program

Keyword

Postpartum; Diastasis recti abdominis; Mobile application; Exercise

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Participant flow diagram.

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  Fig. 2 (A) The user interface of the mobile application. (B) The capture of the provided workout video.

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  Fig. 3 Inter-recti distance measured by ultrasound, 3 cm above the umbilicus (A) at baseline and (B) after 8 weeks of intervention.

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  Fig. 4 Residual versus fitted plots for the linear regression models. (A) Inter-recti distance. (B) Shear wave elastography. (C) International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form. (D) Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale.

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