Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Strength Recovery of Postnatal Diastasis Recti Abdominis Muscles

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the recovery of abdominal muscle strength in postnatal women with diastasis of recti abdominis muscles (DRAM). METHODS: Sixty women, 2 months postnatal, participated in this study. They were divided randomly into two equal groups. Group A received NMES in addition to abdominal exercises; group B received only abdominal exercises. The intervention in both groups was for three times per week for 8 weeks. The outcome measures were body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, inter recti distance (IRD), and abdominal muscle strength in terms of peak torque, maximum repetition total work, and average power. RESULTS: Both groups showed highly significant (p<0.05) improvement in all outcomes. Further, intergroup comparisons showed significant improvement (p<0.05) in all parameters in favor of group A, except for the BMI. CONCLUSION: NMES helps reduce DRAM in postnatal women; if combined with abdominal exercises, it can augment the effects.