Self-reported symptoms in women with diastasis rectus abdominis: A systematic review

Aparicio, Laura Fuentes; Rejano-Campo, Montserrat; Donnelly, G. L.; Vicente-Campos, Victoria

doi:10.1016/j.jogoh.2020.101995

Cited by 30 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 36 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The research concluded that these magazines may contribute to body dissatisfaction [ 19 ]. A recent systematic review found that the focus for investigation on DRA had been on associations with physical challenges such as pelvic floor dysfunction, low back and pelvic girdle pain, and there were few studies on associations with body image, physical appearance and body satisfaction [ 20 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Primiparous women’s knowledge of diastasis recti abdominis, concerns about abdominal appearance, treatments, and perceived abdominal muscle strength 6–8 months postpartum. A cross sectional comparison study

2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a prevalent condition in the postpartum period. To date, there is scant knowledge on how DRA influences physical, mental, and emotional health. This study investigates primiparous women`s knowledge about DRA, concerns about abdominal appearance, and perceived abdominal muscle strength, comparing women with and without reported DRA. Methods This was a cross-sectional comparison study. Data were collected by a web-based questionnaire, mainly through social media in Norway. To be included in the study women had to be primiparous 6–8 months postpartum. The questionnaire contained questions regarding women`s knowledge about DRA, perceived protrusion, received treatment, concerns with abdominal appearance and muscle strength. Abdominal body image was measured through the shape concern questions from The Eating Disorder Examination questionnaire (EDE-Q 6.0). Demographic and other descriptive variables are presented as means with standard deviations (SD) or as frequencies with percentages. Chi-square test of independence and independent sample t-tests were used to compare differences between women with and without abdominal protrusion for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Results Our sample consisted of 460 women. Knowledge about DRA was reported by 415/440 (94.3%) women. A total of 73.3% reported to have been worried during pregnancy about abdominal appearance postpartum. Mean degree of concern about present abdominal appearance was 5.5/10 (SD 2.4). Almost 80% experienced weaker abdominal muscles than pre-pregnancy. Ninety-six women (20.9%) reported a protrusion along the midline of their abdomen. Significantly more women with protrusion reported weaker abdominal muscles than women without protrusion. The most frequent treatment women with protrusion reported were exercises for the abdominal muscles (92.6%). Mean score on the EDE-Q, shape concern questions, was higher in women with reported protrusion (mean score: 2.37 (SD 1.6) than women without protrusion (mean score: 2.14 (SD 1.4), p = 0.175. Conclusion Primiparous women are concerned about abdominal appearance both during pregnancy and after birth. Those reporting abdominal protrusion are less satisfied with their abdominal appearance and they report weaker abdominal muscles than women without protrusion. This study may contribute to improved knowledge about women`s health concerns, and assessment of DRA should be part of routine follow-up of postpartum women.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Primiparous women’s knowledge of diastasis recti abdominis, concerns about abdominal appearance, treatments, and perceived abdominal muscle strength 6–8 months postpartum. A cross sectional comparison study

2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Regarding DRA effects, scientific research confirmed heterogeneous conclusions. On the one hand, a recent systematic review [ 15 ] found that there was no correlation between DRA and low back pain. On the other hand, DRA has been linked to pelvic floor dysfunction [ 12 , 13 ], pelvic and low back pain [ 16 , 17 ], and as lumbopelvic stability [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Besides, other studies [ 13 , 19 ] have observed that women with urinary incontinence show an alteration of the synergy between the pelvic floor muscles and abdominal muscles. Moreover, DRA exerts negative effects on quality of life and functionality [ 15 ]. For these reasons, it is considered important to assess and monitor IRD width over time, particularly when the patient presents with the aforementioned dysfunctions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ultrasound imaging, which has been used as a tool to determine the severity and impact of DRA, has been demonstrated to be a precise and reliable method for the assessment of IRD [ 25 ]. Data normality tests for IRD in postpartum women is still lacking and depends on the use of different localization references along the line alba [ 15 ]. Despite this, a widening greater than 2.2–2.3 cm identified by ultrasound measurements has been considered a clinically important DRA and has been linked to adverse effects [ 8 , 26 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Differences in Inter-Rectus Distance and Abdominopelvic Function between Nulliparous, Primiparous and Multiparous Women

Balasch-Bernat

Pérez‐Alenda

Carrasco

et al. 2021

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Widening of the inter-rectus distance (IRD) is highly prevalent among postpartum women and can lead to dysfunction of abdominopelvic muscles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in IRD and abdominopelvic function between nulliparous, primiparous and multiparous women. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 75 women (25 nulliparous, 25 primiparous and 25 multiparous at 6 months postpartum). The participants underwent ultrasound assessment under three conditions (at rest, abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) and curl-up) at two locations (2 cm above and 2 cm below the umbilicus). Furthermore, abdominopelvic muscle function was determined by prone, supine and side bridge tests. In all conditions and locations, the IRD were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the primiparous and multiparous women than in the nulliparous. The multiparous women presented greater (p > 0.05) IRD at rest and during ADIM compared to the primiparous women. Regarding abdominopelvic muscle function, differences were only significant (p < 0.05) between the nulliparous with primiparous women in prone and supine conditions. These findings suggest that parity influences IRD: women at 6 months postpartum present greater IRD compared to nulliparous women; multiparous women present greater IRD at rest and during the activation of deep abdominal muscles than primiparous women; and primiparous women exhibit worse abdominopelvic muscle function than nulliparous women.

show abstract

“…Health psychology, medical science, and physiotherapy indicate that the prevention and rehabilitation of women with DRAM require a holistic approach and interdisciplinary therapy (Keshwani et al, 2018). The characteristic of the symptomatology of women with DRAM is associated with the multifaceted nature of symptoms, which are associated not only with pain (Michalska et al, 2018) but also with the self-esteem of the body, emotional difficulties in accepting, and dissatisfaction with the body image (Pauls et al, 2008;Ogle et al, 2011;Hipp et al, 2012;Hodgkinson et al, 2014;Zielinski et al, 2017;Thomas et al, 2019;Aparicio et al, 2020;Haywood et al, 2020) and experienced the different quality of life after childbirth (Tutkuviene et al, 2018). Rehabilitation, such as therapeutic work, on psychological (body self-esteem, body health assessment, body weight adequacy) and social standards of posture toward the body (communicated through social support of the family) is an indispensable element of comprehensive treatment and physiotherapy of DRAM.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Connections Between Perceived Social Support and the Body Image in the Group of Women With Diastasis Recti Abdominis

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The psychological features of the body image and the role of perceived social support for women with diastasis recti abdominis (DRAM) is significant for the treatment of this group of patients, but it is difficult to identify research on this topic. We aimed to search for similarities and differences between postpartum women with DRAM in terms of their psychological features of the body image and perceived social support from the partner, family and friends.Methods: Three hundred forty-five Polish women with DRAM were asked to fill the The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and The Drawing Self-Assessment Sheet. Data analysis included the stepwise regression analysis and k-cluster analysis.Results: We identified several predictors in the group of women with DRAM. Social support of partner, family, and friends are the predictors of self-assessment of general body appearance. Social support of family is a predictor of self-assessment of the health of the body. Social support of friends is a predictor of self-esteem of weight and fear of gaining weight. Moreover, three clusters of women with DRAM were found. Type 1—women with DRAM with one child and low self-esteem of the general appearance of the body, low self-esteem of health condition of the body, high self-esteem of weight, and fear of weight gain, and low level of social support; Type 2—women with DRAM with three or more children and low self-esteem of the general appearance of the body, low self-esteem of health condition of the body, high self-esteem of weight and fear of weight gain, and high level of social support; and Type 3—women with DRAM with two children and high self-esteem for the general appearance of the body, high level of self-esteem for health of the body, low self-esteem of weight and fear of weight gain, and high levels of social support.Conclusions: Social support is a predictor of body image in women with DRAM, but there are other factors that influence body acceptance more in this group of women. Furthermore the three clusters featured in the study may help in treating women with DRAM.

show abstract

Self-reported symptoms in women with diastasis rectus abdominis: A systematic review

Cited by 30 publications

References 36 publications

Primiparous women’s knowledge of diastasis recti abdominis, concerns about abdominal appearance, treatments, and perceived abdominal muscle strength 6–8 months postpartum. A cross sectional comparison study

Primiparous women’s knowledge of diastasis recti abdominis, concerns about abdominal appearance, treatments, and perceived abdominal muscle strength 6–8 months postpartum. A cross sectional comparison study

Differences in Inter-Rectus Distance and Abdominopelvic Function between Nulliparous, Primiparous and Multiparous Women

Connections Between Perceived Social Support and the Body Image in the Group of Women With Diastasis Recti Abdominis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About