To Örebro University

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate how various physical and psychological factors are linked to disability attributed to symptoms from increased interrecti distance (IRD) in women after childbirth.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational study, 141 women with an IRD of at least 2 finger widths and whose youngest child was between the ages of 1 and 8 years participated. A multilinear regression model was performed with disability as the outcome variable and fear-avoidance beliefs, emotional distress, body mass index, lumbopelvic pain, IRD, and physical activity level as predictor variables.

RESULTS: The regression model accounted for 60% (R2 = 0.604, adjusted R2 = 0.586) of the variance in disability (F6,132 = 33.5). The 2 strongest predictors were lumbopelvic pain with a regression coefficient of 1.4 (95% CI = 1.017 to 1.877) and fear avoidance with a regression coefficient of 0.421 (95% CI = 0.287 to 0.555). The actual IRD, with a regression coefficient of -0.133 (95% CI = -1.154 to 0.888), did not contribute significantly to the variation in disability.

CONCLUSION: Disability attributed to symptoms from an increased IRD is explained primarily by the level of lumbopelvic pain but also by the degree of fear-avoidance beliefs and emotional distress.

IMPACT: This study highlights pain intensity and psychological factors as crucial factors for understanding disability attributed to increased IRD.