Can special exercises heal postpartum belly separation without surgery?

NCT ID NCT07642141

Symptom relief Sponsor: Riphah International University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether combining two types of exercises—hypopressive exercises and abdominal bracing—can help postpartum women with diastasis recti, a condition where the abdominal muscles separate. Thirty-four women will be split into two groups: one doing both exercises, the other doing only hypopressive exercises plus standard care. The goal is to see if the combo reduces pain, improves muscle strength, and decreases the gap between muscles.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: hypopressive exercises and abdominal bracing
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple, non-surgical exercise routine to reduce pain and improve core strength in postpartum women with diastasis recti.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 34 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The exercises require proper technique and may not work for all cases.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 34 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Apr 2025

Expected to finish

Aug 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

23 to 30 years

Sex

Female participants only

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age group of 23 to 30 years * Inter recti distance \> 2 to 5 cm * A women who had undergone a vaginal delivery at least 8 weeks before the first measurement * A postpartum female with the presence of diastasis rectus abdominis * BMI under or equal to 29kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant females (29) * Subjects who underwent any recent abdominal surgeries * Patient diagnosed with a Fibroid uterus * Patient diagnosed with abdominal hernia * Cesarean section (C-section) * Chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or thyroid disorders.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

diastasis recti and weakness of the linea alba

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Diastasis recti

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

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Can special exercises heal postpartum belly separation without surgery?

What the study statuses mean