Efficacy of the Addition of Modified Pilates Exercises to a Minimal Intervention in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background The Pilates method has been used to improve function and reduce pain in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain, although there is little scientific evidence that describes its efficacy. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the addition of modified Pilates exercises to minimal intervention in patients with chronic low back pain. Design A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Setting The study was done in an outpatient physical therapy department in Brazil. Patients Eighty-six patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain participated in the study. Intervention All participants received an education booklet containing information about low back pain and were randomly allocated to receive 12 sessions, over 6 weeks, of exercises based upon Pilates principles (n=43) or of education alone (n=43). Measurements Primary outcomes were pain intensity and disability measured at 6 weeks and 6 months. Secondary outcomes were patient-specific functional disability, global impression of recovery, and kinesiophobia measured at 6 weeks and 6 months. All outcomes were measured by a blinded assessor in all time points. Results There was no loss to follow-up at any of the time points. Improvements were observed in pain (mean difference=2.2 points, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.1 to 3.2), disability (mean difference=2.7 points, 95% CI=1.0 to 4.4), and global impression of recovery (mean difference=−1.5 points, 95% CI=−2.6 to −0.4) in favor of the Pilates group after intervention, but these differences were no longer statistically significant at 6 months. Limitations Treatment provider and participants could not be blinded to the interventions. Conclusions The addition of modified Pilates exercises to an educational booklet provides small benefits compared with education alone in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain; however, these effects were not sustained over time.

Analysis of Patient Outcomes Using the MyoKinesthetic System for the Treatment of Low Back Pain: A Case Series

“…The improvements on the PSFS in our participants were similar to those experienced in other randomized clinical trials [45][46][47][48] ; however, our participants reported higher PSFS scores 1 month post-treatment. In a study examining the effects of motor control exercises on LBP, Aasa et al 49 reported a mean PSFS baseline score of 3.8 and a 2-month follow-up score of 7.8.…”

Comparação da satisfação, motivação, flexibilidade e dor muscular tardia entre método Pilates moderno e método Pilates instável

“…The level was set according to the physical condition of each participant 23 . Some basic exercises were adapted to the conditions of the participant.…”

Impacto do Método Pilates na qualidade de vida dos praticantes

“…Ainda assim, o conhecimento sobre dor de cabeça e atividade física é limitado e poucos estudos tem avaliado este relacionamento. 29 Contudo, a maioria dos estudos não encontrou redução significativa da frequência ou duração das crises de cefaléia, 30 mas sugere que o exercício ativa sinais de neurotransmissor endógeno, que poderiam ser eficazes na redução da intensidade da dor da enxaqueca. 31 O resultado positivo para a paciente com a patologia enxaqueca foi notável nesta pesquisa, corroborando com os estudos acerca dos benefícios da atividade física nestes casos.…”