Comparison of the effect of supervised and non-supervised tele-exercise program on inter-recti distance, abdominal muscle endurance and balance in women with diastazis recti abdominis

This study aims to compare the effects of supervised and unsupervised tele-exercise programs on inter-recti distance, abdominal muscle endurance, balance, body image and depression in women with diastasis recti abdominis. The study included 39 women between 8 weeks and 36 months postpartum. Participants were randomly divided into two groups as Supervised Tele-Exercise Group (n=20) and Non-Supervised Tele-Exercise Group (n=19). Both groups were evaluated using inter-recti distance measurement, abdominal muscle endurance test, balance assessment, Multidimensional Body-Self Relationship Scale, Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. The supervised tele-exercise group was asked to take videos of themselves doing the exercises in the videos directed by the physiotherapist and a tele-exercise program was applied in which their mistakes were corrected, while the unsupervised tele-exercise group performed the exercises on their own according to the video instructions only. Both groups followed a program of motor control-based, progressive exercises for six weeks. The exercises were performed as 10 right and 10 left repetitions for the first three weeks and 15 right and 15 left repetitions for the last three weeks. The results showed significant improvements in the inter-recti distance (above umbilicus and 2.5 cm), abdominal muscle endurance, eyes-open balance test and PTDE-20 total score in the supervised tele-exercise group (p< .05). However, no significant difference was observed between the groups in other measures (p> .05).These findings suggest that supervised tele-exercise programs are a more effective method in the treatment of diastasis recti abdominis than unsupervised tele-exercise programs. However, these results need to be confirmed with larger sample groups.