Objective To construct an exercise rehabilitation programm for postpartum patients with diastasis rectus abdominis based on the patient health participation model, and explore the effects of its application in clinical practice.

Methods The exercise rehabilitation programm (including behavioural, emotional and cognitive interventions) for postpartum patients with diastasis rectus abdominis was constructed using the patient health participation model as the theoretical framework combined with literature research, domestic and international guidelines, qualitative interviews, expert correspondence and group discussion. The convenience sampling method was used to select 86 postpartum patients with rectus abdominis, and the patients were divided into groups according to the time of visit for intervention. The abdominal circumference, rectus abdominis spacing, rehabilitation participation, self-efficacy and clinical efficacy between two groups were compared before and after intervention.

Results After intervention, the abdominal circumference of the intervention group was shorter than that of control group (P ＜ 0.05). The diastasis rectus abdominis spacing in the intervention group at 2 cm above the umbilicus, umbilicus, and 2 cm below the umbilicus were shorter than those in control group (P ＜ 0.05). The self-efficacy scale score and Pittsburgh rehabilitation involvement scale score in intervention group were higher than those in control group (P ＜ 0.01), and the difference of the total effective rate bewteen the intervention group and control group was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).

Conclusions The exercise rehabilitation programme for postpartum diastasis rectus abdominis patients based on the patient health participation model is scientific, feasible and practical, and can effectively promote patients' rehabilitation.