Comparison of the therapeutic effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on postpartum diastasis recti abdominis

ZHANG Lijian; ZHANG Yanhui; ZHANG Qiufen; CHU Jianchao; OUYANG Qi; HUANG Zhenjun

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-3594.2026.03.003

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Medical Journal of the Chinese People Armed Police Forces ›› 2026, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (3) : 198-202. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-3594.2026.03.003

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Comparison of the therapeutic effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on postpartum diastasis recti abdominis

ZHANG Lijian¹, ZHANG Yanhui², ZHANG Qiufen¹, CHU Jianchao¹, OUYANG Qi¹, HUANG Zhenjun³

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Abstract

Objective To compare the efficacy of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy(RESWT) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES) in the treatment of postpartum diastasis recti abdominis(DRA). Methods This study was a randomized, double-blind trial. A total of 72 patients with postpartum DRA who visited the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of the 7th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2024 to December 2024 were selected and randomly divided into an observation group(n=36) and a control group(n=36). In the control group, NMES was performed, once every other day, 3 times a week, while RESWT was applied in the observation group, once a week. Both groups received core stability training under the guidance of a rehabilitation therapist, once a day, 5 days a week. After 5 weeks of treatment, the abdominal circumference and inter recti distance(IRD) were measured, the visual analogue scale(VAS) and life quality score(World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF,WHOQOL-BREF) were compared before and after treatment. Results There was no dropout during the study, and all patients entered the result analysis. After 5 weeks of treatment, the abdominal circumference and IRD were reduced, the VAS of lumbar decreased, the life quality score increased in both groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the abdominal circumference and IRD in observation group showed no significant difference (P＞0.05),but there was statistically significant difference in the improvement of low back pain symptoms and quality of life (P＜0.05). Conclusions Both RESWT and NMES can effectively promote the recovery of postpartum DRA, reduce low back pain, and improve life quality. The former is more effective in pain management.

Key words

diastasis recti abdominis / core muscle group / extracorporeal shock wave / neuromuscular electrical stimulation / postpartum rehabilitation

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ZHANG Lijian, ZHANG Yanhui, ZHANG Qiufen, CHU Jianchao, OUYANG Qi, HUANG Zhenjun. Comparison of the therapeutic effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on postpartum diastasis recti abdominis[J]. Medical Journal of the Chinese People Armed Police Forces. 2026, 37(3): 198-202 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1004-3594.2026.03.003

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