An interventional study of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) alone. and TENS combined with Core Stabilization Exercises in Diastasis Recti Abdominis (Postpartum), sponsored by University of Management and Technology Lahore. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to female participants aged 21 Years to 45 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-10.
Sponsored by University of Management and Technology Lahore · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Low back pain is a common complaint among postpartum females, often associated with diastasis recti abdominis (DRA), a condition characterized by the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles. This separation can lead to reduced core stability, altered biomechanics, and impaired functional performance. Effective rehabilitation strategies are essential to address pain, restore abdominal muscle integrity, and improve overall function in this population. This study aims to investigate the effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) with and without core stabilization exercises on low back pain, inter-recti distance (IRD), and transversus abdominis (TrA) thickness in postpartum females with diastasis recti abdominis. A randomized clinical trial will be conducted in which participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving TENS alone and the other receiving TENS combined with core stabilization exercises. Outcome measures will include pain intensity assessed through standardized scales, inter-recti distance measured using musculoskeletal ultrasound, and transversus abdominis thickness evaluated at rest and during contraction. These measures will be recorded before and after the intervention period to determine treatment effectiveness. Group A will receive TENS for pain relief.
Group B will receive TENS combined with core stabilization exercises such as abdominal drawing-in, pelvic tilts, and bridging for 4-6 weeks. Data will be analyzed using SPSS. Paired t-tests will assess within-group changes, and independent t-tests will compare between groups. A p-value ≤ 0.05 will be considered significant. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the added benefit of core stabilization exercises when combined with TENS in postpartum rehabilitation.
This may help in developing more effective physiotherapy protocols for managing low back pain and abdominal muscle dysfunction in females with diastasis recti abdominis.
University of Management and Technology Lahore is the lead sponsor of 39 studies on the registry; 20 are open to participants now.
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Patients diagnosed with Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA).
Exclusion Criteria:
Previous abdominal surgery within the last 6 months.
Continuous mode (burst mode), frequency 80-100 Hz, pulse duration 100-150 μs, intensity adjusted to a comfortable sensory level without muscle contraction, applied for 20 minutes. The intervention will be administered 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks..
Other: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) alone.
Participants will receive TENS using the same parameters as Group A for 20 minutes. Abdominal drawing-in maneuver: 3 sets × 10 repetitions .Pelvic tilts: 3 sets × 10 repetitions . Heel slides: 3 sets × 10 repetitions Bridging exercises: 3 sets × 10 repetitions. The intervention will be administered 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks.
Other: TENS combined with Core Stabilization Exercises
Continuous mode (burst mode), frequency 80-100 Hz, pulse duration 100-150 μs, intensity adjusted to a comfortable sensory level without muscle contraction, applied for 20 minutes. The intervention will be administered 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks..
Participants will receive TENS using the same parameters as Group A for 20 minutes. Abdominal drawing-in maneuver: 3 sets × 10 repetitions .Pelvic tilts: 3 sets × 10 repetitions . Heel slides: 3 sets × 10 repetitions Bridging exercises: 3 sets × 10 repetitions. The intervention will be administered 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks.
DIGITAL VERNIER CALIPER
A Digital Vernier Caliper is a precision measuring instrument used to measure linear distances accurately. In patients with Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA), it can be used to assess the Inter-Recti Distance (IRD), which is the separation between the two rectus abdominis muscles. The device provides measurements in millimeters (mm) and offers high accuracy and reliability for clinical assessment.
Time frame: baseline and after 6 weeks
MSK ULTRASOUND
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSK-US) is a real-time, non-invasive imaging tool used to measure the thickness and activation of the Transversus Abdominis (TrA), especially in postpartum females with Diastasis Recti.
Time frame: baseline and after 6 weeks
OSWESTRY DISABILITY INDEX
The Oswestry Disability Index (also known as the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire) is an extremely important tool that researchers and disability evaluators use to measure a patient's permanent functional disability. The test is considered the "gold standard" of low back functional outcome tools.
Time frame: baseline and after 6 weeks
Plan to share: Yes — The results data collected , de-identified individual participant data will be shared.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Statistical analysis plan, Informed consent form
Time frame: 6 months after the publication of the manuscript.
Access criteria: The data can be requested from the corresponding author.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Nov 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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University of Management and Technology Lahore