Impact of capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency prior to a therapeutic physical exercise program on morphology and functionality in women with rectus diastasis: a randomized controlled trial

To evaluate the clinical benefits of adding Capacitive Resistive Monopolar Radiofrequency (CRMRF) to a therapeutic physical exercise (PE) program on anatomo-physiological, anthropometric, and functional parameters in women with diastasis recti abdominis (DRA). A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 21 postpartum women. Participants were assigned to: (i) CRMRF+PE group (RFPEG) or (ii) placebo CRMRF+PE group (SHAMG). The interventions were performed over 8 weeks. Outcomes included anatomo-physiological parameters (inter-rectus distance (IRD), linea alba (LA) thickness, rectus abdominis thickness, LA distortion, and echo intensity), anthropometric measures (waist circumference, and skinfolds), and functional capacity. No significant differences between groups were observed (p > 0.05). Both RFPEG and SHAMG showed significant reductions in resting IRD (p = 0.001, d = 0.59, and p = 0.002, d = 0.49, respectively). In semi curl-up, RFPEG demonstrated reductions in IRD (p = 0.01, d = 0.59) and LA distortion (p = 0.01, d = 0.67). RFPEG also had lower echo intensity (p = 0.03, d = 1.27) and reduced abdominal circumference (p = 0.04, d = 0.13). Functional capacity improved significantly in both groups. CRMRF preceding PE does not lead to greater improvements than PE alone on IRD, LA distortion, echo intensity and functional capacity. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of CRMRF alone in women with DRA.