Effect of pilates training on pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials

Abstract

[Purpose] This systematic review and meta-analysis study evaluated the effects of Pilates on pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain.[Methods] Six electronic databases were searched between January 2012 and December 2022. From these databases, only randomized controlled trials were selected. The criteria for assessing methodological quality using the PEDro scale were selected. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool RoB 2.0. Additionally, the primary outcomes were pain and disability in this analysis.[Results] The corresponding results confirmed that Pilates training led to a significant improvement in pain (Visual Analog Scale: weighted mean difference = -29.38, 95% confidence interval, -33.24 to -25.52, I² value = 56.70%; Pain Numerical Rating Scale: weighted mean difference = -2.12, 95% confidence interval, -2.54 to -1.69, I² value = 0.00%) and disability (Roland– Morris Disability Index: weighted mean difference = -4.73, 95% confidence interval, -5.45 to -4.01, I² value = 41.79%). Six months after completion of Pilates training, the improvement in pain (Pain Numerical Rating Scale: weighted mean difference = -1.67, 95% confidence interval, -2.03 to -1.32, I² value = 0.00%) and disability (Roland–Morris Disability Index: weighted mean difference = -4.24, 95% confidence interval, -5.39 to -3.09, I² value = 52.79%) was maintained.[Conclusion] Pilates training may be an effective strategy to improve pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain.