The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Reducing Diastasis Recti Abdominis Size in Postpartum Women

This training and research project was conducted over eight weeks and started 6 - 8 weeks after natural childbirth. All study participants were included in the exercise program designed for postpartum females. Exercises included four sets that changed every two weeks and were held individually with a physiotherapist three times a week, every two to three days, for 45 minutes each unit. All participants performed breathing exercises, body posture correction, abdominal muscle strengthening exercises (transverse, oblique, and rectus abdominis muscles), and engaged other muscles to improve overall physical fitness.

The Kinesiology Tape used in this study has a European quality certificate (CE). Before the exercise program, on the day of the first ultrasound, participants had tapes placed on their abdomens. The tape length for each participant was 20 cm to ensure the ends were located on the lateral edges of the rectus abdominis muscles. Both ends of the tape were simultaneously attached to the abdomen, with two attached from the navel line upwards and one below it Each participant in the tape group was asked to breathe in using the abdominal muscles, and after a maximal stretch of the abdominal integuments, three tapes were attached at 50% tension or without tension. The taping procedure was repeated once per week, with the tapes attached for six days and removed at the end of the 6th day. The placebo and tape groups had a break on the 7th day