Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on diastasis recti abdominis: a 1:1 paired prospective study

Objective: Our study aims to explore the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on diastasis recti abdominis. Design: This is a 1:1 paired prospective study Setting: This study conducted at Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital Population or Sample: This study recruited 78 women who were in early postpartum period Methods: The control group received health education and intervention group received neuromuscular electrical stimulation Main Outcome Measures: Transabdominal ultrasound was used to measure the inter-recti distance of three points (2-3cm above, at, and 2-3cm below the umbilicus) Results: Post-intervention, the control group exhibited reduced IRD only at the umbilicus ( P <.001), whereas the intervention group showed significant reductions at all three points ( P <.001, P <.001, P =.005, respectively). Compared to the control group, the inter-recti distance of 2-3cm above and umbilicus were lower in the intervention group ( P =.026 and P =0.046), the differences remained significant after adjusting covariates at three points ( P =.001, P <.001, and P <.001, respectively) Conclusions: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation significantly accelerates diastasis recti abdominis recovery in the early postpartum period, demonstrating clinical potential as a non-invasive therapeutic option