Preliminary study of Kinesio Taping in rectus abdominis diastasis treatment and abdominal circumference improvement in postpartum women: a retrospective study

Rectus abdominis diastasis (RAD) is a key factor in the rehabilitation of postpartum women. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Kinesio Taping (KT) in RAD treatment and abdominal changes. The medical records of women with RAD who received KT treatment at the hospital were reviewed. A total of 138 women were included and their demographic characteristics were reviewed, including data before and after RAD treatment, abdominal circumference at the umbilicus and both above and below the umbilicus, as well as the distance from the xiphoid to the umbilicus, distance from the umbilicus to the pubic symphysis. The width of RAD decreased from 4.58 ± 1.74 cm to 2.33 ± 0.90 cm after KT treatment (t = P < 0.001) compared to before treatment. After treatment, the proportions of women with normal, mild, moderate, and severe RAD were 28.1%, 44.6%, 26.6%, and 0.7%, respectively, showing statistical significance (P < 0.001). A statistically significant difference was observed in the abdominal circumference reduction at the umbilicus and above and below the umbilicus before and after KT treatment. However, no statistically significant difference was noted in terms of the changes in the distance from the umbilicus to the pubic symphysis. A statistically significant difference was observed before treatment in abdominal circumference below the umbilicus between the cured and non-cured groups. Preliminary analysis results showed a positive effect of Kinesio Taping treatment in promoting rectus abdominis diastasis recovery and improving abdominal circumference. Furthermore, rectus abdominis diastasis was positively correlated with lower abdominal circumference and anterior abdominal injury.