Comparision of the effect of pilates and core stability exercises on diastasis recti, pain, functional disability and quality of life of primiparous mothers with nonspecific low back pain

Aim of the present study was to compare the effect of pilates and corestability exercises on diastasis recti, pain, functional disability and quality of life ofprimiparous mothers with nonspecific low back pain.

A total of 20 primiparous mothers between the ages of 20 and 30were included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. At the pre-teststage, subject's diastasis recti, pain, functional disability and quality of life wereassessed by ultrasound device, VAS visual scale, Oswestery questionnaire andSF36 questionnaire, respectively. Subjects in exercise groups then performed theirrespective exercises for 8 weeks. At the end of 8 weeks, all study variables wereexamined again in the post-test stage. Two-way analysis of variance was used tostatistically analyze the research findings at a significance level of P≤0.05.

The results of two-way analysis of variance showed that in both traininggroups, the variables of diastasis recti, pain, functional disability and quality of life ofthe subjects in the post-test improved significantly compared to the pre-test. Also,the results of two-way analysis of variance showed that in the post-test stage, thereis no significant difference between the mean of the studied variables between thetwo training groups.

Pilates and core stability exercises due to ongoing stimulation of sub-maximal contractions and correction of movement patterns by invoking andincreasing the strength and coordination of the body's core stabilizer muscles, playsa significant role in improving diastasis recti, pain, function and quality of life inprimiparous mothers with nonspecific low back pain.