Effectiveness of a Mobile Application-Based Home Exercise Program for Postpartum Women with Abdominal Wall Dysfunction

Purpose: Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a common issue among postpartum women, resulting in abdominal muscle weakness and associated problems such as back pain and urinary incontinence.However, compliance with exercise programs is often poor due to childcare demands.This study aims to assess changes in ultrasound parameters (inter-recti distance [IRD], shear wave elastography [SWE]) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) related to DRA following an online exercise program.Methods: Sixty-seven women aged 25-35 years, who had undergone single vaginal delivery, participated in an 8-week exercise program delivered via a mobile app.Pre-and post-intervention ultrasound parameters and clinical scores for low back pain (LBP) and urinary incontinence were compared.Results: After the 8-week program, IRD decreased and SWE increased significantly.PROs, including scores for LBP and urinary incontinence, showed significant improvement.Subgroup analysis based on initial IRD diagnostic criteria for DRA revealed significant improvements in ultrasound parameters and PROs in both groups, with greater improvements observed in those initially diagnosed with clinical DRA. Conclusion:The 8-week online exercise program through mobile application reduced IRD, SWE, and LBP-related disability and stress urinary incontinence.In particular, IRD showed a larger decrease than the decrease reported in a recent meta-analysis.These results suggest that an online exercise program using a mobile application is an effective option to address DRA-related problems in postpartum women.