Effectiveness of a Trunk-Wearable Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Device in Postpartum Women with Diastasis Rectus Abdominis Muscles

Linan Zheng, Yulian Zhu, Yulan Zhu
Purpose:

This study aimed to explore the effect of using a trunk-wearable NMES device on postpartum women with moderate and severe DRAM.

Methods:

A total of 84 postpartum women with an inter-rectus distance (IRD) of ≥3 cm were randomly categorized into two equal groups. The treatment group received a trunk-wearable NMES device treatment and exercise therapy, whereas the control group received exercise therapy only. We measured IRD and calculated treatment response rate, improvement of trunk muscle strength and low-back pain in both groups. Additionally, we evaluated quality of life (QoL) using short-form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire and Hernia-related Quality of Life Survey (HerQLes) and performed statistical analysis.

Results:

After 8-week treatment, The IRD of the umbilical (M3) sector exhibited a greater reduction in the treatment group than in the control group (−10.6 [−17.9 to −3.3]%, p  0.05). Patients in treatment group had greater treatment response rates than those in the control group (p = 0.0031 and p  0.0001, W2 and W3 respectively). Besides, the treatment group had higher Janda assessment scores and more reduced low-back pain than the control group (both p  0.0001). SF-36 questionnaire showed greater improvement (from baseline) in pain and role-emotional scales in the treatment group than in the control group (p  0.05); furthermore, similar improvement was observed in the HerQLes (p  0.0001).

Conclusion(s):

The application of trunk-wearable NMES device reduced the IRD of DRAM patients and increased the treatment response rate. Additionally, the use of an NMES device accompanied with exercise significantly improved trunk muscle strength, reduced low-back pain, and improved QoL.

Implications:

This work firstly reveals that the effect of a trunk-wearable NMES device accompanied with core exercise programs in patients with moderate and severe diastasis, and by comparing the effect with patients received exercise only, we provide clinical evidence for a new perspective non-invasive strategy for moderate and severe DRAM patients.

Funding acknowledgements:
The project of biomedical technology of Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan (No. 20S31904900)
Keywords:
Diastasis rectus abdominis muscles (DRAM)
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)
Wearable device
Primary topic:
Pelvic, sexual and reproductive health
Second topic:
Women's health
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
Huashan Hospital Ethics Committee
Provide the ethics approval number:
No. KY2020-1199
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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