THE EFFICACY OF ABDOMINAL EXERCISE WITH SWISS BALL AND PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE STRENGTHENING IN DIASTASIS RECTI AMONG POSTNATAL WOMEN.
*Dr. K. Madhumathi, Dr. P. Senthil Selvam Ph. D. and M. Narmadha
ABSTRACT
Background: Diastasis recti is defined as an impairment with midline separation of two rectus abdominis muscles bellies along the line of linea Alba. It is most common during last trimester and in postpartum period. According to Bernades, prevalence of diastasis above umbilicus among primiparous and multiparous women was same (68%) and below umbilicus was greater among multiparous women (19.8% and 29.2%). The common problems that occurs due to diastasis recti are low backache, strain due to lack of integrity of abdominal muscles, unstable core, pelvic and back muscles; it also causes weakness of pelvic floor. Objective: To determine the efficacy of
abdominal exercise with Swiss ball and pelvic floor muscle strengthening in diastasis recti among postnatal women. Materials and method: 40 participants who fulfilled inclusion criteria were included. They were divided into 2 groups. Group A received abdominal exercise with Swiss ball and Group B received transverse abdominis activation through pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercise for 45 minutes for duration of 6 weeks. Results: Group A who performed abdominal exercise with Swiss ball showed more significance in reduction of inter recti gap in diastasis recti with a p value less than 0.001.Conclusion: This study concludes that abdominal exercise performed with swiss ball was effective in reduction of diastasis recti abdominis among postnatal women.
Keywords: Diastasis recti abdominis, inter recti gap, swiss ball exercise, pelvic floor muscle strengthening, postnatal women.
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