Effect of Kinesio Taping on Diastasis Recti, MOHAMED A. AWAD, AFAF M. MAHMOUD, HESHAM M. EL-GHAZALY and REEM M. TAWFEEK
Abstract
Background: A large majority of pregnant population will develop a diastasis by their final trimaster, unless pregnant and postpartum women learn to exercise and use their abdom-inal muscles correctly these complains might plaugue their pregnancies and extended recoveries, kinesio tape, an elastic tape had not been studied for that purpose.
Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of kinesio taping on diastasis recti.
Subjects and Methods: Forty postpartum women with diastasis recti selected randomly from outpatient clinic of Obstetrics Department of El-Kasr El-Ainy University Hospital in Cairo shared in this study. Their ages were ranged from 25 to 35 years. Their body mass index was ranged from 25-30 Kg/m2. All women were normal vaginal delivery, number of parity was 2-3 children and in good self-reported general health. Women with skin over sensitivity to the tape, open wound, skin diseases, abdominal hernia, caesarean section and BMI less than 25kg/m2 or more than 30kg/m2 were excluded from this study. Women were randomly divided into two equal groups: Group A (control group) received no treat-ment for diastasis recti. Group B (study group) treated by kinesio tape application on abdomen for three continuous days and one day off for one month. Rectus diastasis was assessed by ultrasound examination above and below umbilicus for both Groups A and B before and after treatment.
Results: The results showed that there was a significant decrease in the inter-recti distance above and below the umbilicus in both Groups A and B. When compare both groups together, there was no significant difference between both Groups A and B pre treatment. But, there was a significant difference between both groups post treatment (more decrease in Group B).
Conclusion: It could be concluded that Kinesio tape was effective in reducing diastasis recti in postpartum women.