Effect of Capacitive and Resistive Radiofrequency on Postpartum Diastasis Recti

Ultrasound

The distance between the recti muscles at 3 levels will be measured at the beginning and again at the end of the study duration, i.e., 8 weeks. The desired measurement locations will be marked with a water-soluble pen: 4.5 cm above the umbilicus, at the midpoint, and 4.5 cm below the umbilicus. The measurements will be performed at rest and during contraction. Each woman will be asked to lie in a crock lying position, crossing the arms over the chest and raising the head until the spine of the scapulae will be off the table surface. The women will maintain a partial curl-up while the examiner palpates the medial borders of the right and left rectus abdominis muscle bellies at the marked location. With the linear transducer, it will be positioned transversely along the linea alba in the direction of the muscles and adjusted to perceived inert recti distance width. Three trials will be taken for each assessment, and the mean will be recorded. (Khandale \& Hande, 2016).

trunk flexors strength and endurance

Trunk flexion strength will be graded from zero to five using Daniels and Worthingham's procedure (Hislop et al., 2013) as follows: Grades: (Hislop et al., 2013). Grade 5 (Normal) Patient complete ROM until inferior angle of the scapulae are off table (weight of arms serves as resistance). Grade 4 (Good) Patient complete ROM until inferior angle of the scapulae are off table. Resistance of arms is reduced in the cross-chest position. Grade 3 (Fair) Patient complete ROM and lifts trunk until inferior angle of the scapulae are off table with arms at side. Grade 2 (Poor) Patient is unable to clear the inferior angle of the scapula from the table Grade 1 (Trace) No depression of the rib cage but visible or palpable contraction occurs. Grade 0 (Zero) No activity Patient Positioning: Grade 5 (Normal): Supine with fingertips lightly touching the back of the head. For grade 4: Supine with arms crossed over chest. For grade 3: Supine with arms at side. For grade 0 to 2: Supine with arms at

Assessment of functional status

All participating women with diastasis recti in both groups (A\&B) will be asked to fill the Inventory of functional status after childbirth questionnaire before and after the end of the study program.