Abstract
To explore the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation applications over the course of 10 visits on women with postpartum diastasis recti abdominis. This prospective 1:1 matched study recruited 78 participants who visited Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital from July 2023 to July 2024. Participants were matched by age (± 5 years), BMI (± 2 kg/m(2)) and the inter-recti distance of umbilicus (± 0.5 cm) into the control group (health education) and the intervention group (neuromuscular electrical stimulation). Inter-recti distance was measured via ultrasound at three points (2–3 cm above, at, and 2–3 cm below the umbilicus) before and after the intervention. After treatment, the inter-recti distance at the umbilical level in the control group decreased from 3.55 ± 0.72 cm to 3.31 ± 0.77 cm, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). For the intervention group, the inter-recti distance at 2–3 cm above, at, and 2–3 cm below the umbilicus decreased from 2.78 ± 0.75 cm, 3.72 ± 0.58 cm, and 1.58 ± 1.0 cm to 2.31 ± 0.56 cm, 2.97 ± 0.48 cm, and 1.22 ± 0.84 cm, the differences were also statistically significant (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.005), respectively. Compared to the control group, the inter-recti distance of 2–3 cm above and umbilicus were lower in the intervention group (P = 0.026 and P = 0.046), that differences were also significant after adjusting covariates [postpartum duration, treatment duration, age, BMI, neonatal weight, gestational weight gain, length of linea alba, parity, delivery mode, education, abdominal circumference (standing), reduction of abdominal circumference (supine), reduction of abdominal circumference (standing), and reduction of weight] at all three points (P = 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.044), respectively. A significantly higher proportion of participants in the intervention group demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements compared to the control group at both the 2–3 cm above and umbilicus points (all P < 0.05). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation significantly accelerates diastasis recti abdominis recovery in the early postpartum period, demonstrating clinical potential as a non-invasive therapeutic option. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-31300-x.