Prevalence of Ai Driven Telerehabilitation Trend on Management of Rectus Diastasis among Postpartum Nomophobic Women

Abstract

Background: Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a prevalent postpartum condition characterized by the separation of the rectus muscles, frequently leading to lumbopelvic pain and urogynecological dysfunction. While conservative rehabilitation is the standard of care, postpartum psychological distress often drives smartphone dependency, known as nomophobia. Consequently, AI-driven telerehabilitation has emerged as a promising digital health solution, though its adoption and usability within this specific demographic remain underexplored. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, usability, and associated demographic and psychological factors of AI-driven telerehabilitation applications for DRA management among postpartum women exhibiting nomophobia. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sample of 140 postpartum women (6 weeks to 6 months postpartum) at Mola Bakhsh and Al-Abbas Hospitals in Sargodha, Pakistan. Participants were assessed using the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) and the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ). Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 27.0), employing descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square tests to determine associations between variables. Results: The vast majority of participants exhibited moderate nomophobia (97.1%, n = 136), with 2.9% (n = 4) reporting severe levels. Regarding digital health engagement, 53.6% (n = 75) reported utilizing AI-driven telerehabilitation applications. Among these users, 62.9% (n = 88) rated the usability of the applications as "average," while 37.1% (n = 52) reported "low" usability. Pearson’s chi-square analysis revealed a highly significant association between educational attainment and app utilization ( = 29.42, p < .001), as well as a significant association between nomophobia severity and app adoption (p = .05). Conclusion: AI-driven telerehabilitation demonstrates moderate adoption and average usability among postpart um women with nomophobia, with smartphone dependency acting as a significant driver of digital health engagement. However, the suboptimal usability ratings highlight a critical need for developers to optimize user interfaces and instructional design. Integrating psychological profiling into postpartum care pathways could enhance the targeted delivery, adherence, and overall efficacy of digital rehabilitation interventions.