Pilates improves pain, function and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The pilates method can be used by patients with LBP to improve pain, function and aspects related to quality of life (functional capacity, pain and vitality). Moreover, this method has no harmful effects on such patients.

The Effect of a Pilates Exercise Programme on Perceived Functional Disability and Pain Associated with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain

“…Table 1: Outcome measures at baseline and after the 6-week control period. The results of the present investigation are in accordance with Taylor et al [35] and Natour et al [29] who observed improvements in pain and self-reported disability after 6 and 12-week Pilates interventions respectively. Importantly our study observed mean decreases of 33% in the ODQ and 15mm in VAS scores which represents a clinically meaningful change [21,24].…”

“…Richmond [39] suggested exercise that transcends into integrated movement may improve resistance to fatigue of muscles associated with maintaining balance after a postural perturbation. CE improved post-intervention which is in accordance with the work of Natour et al [29] who purported that Pilates improved core strength because of higher levels of TrA contraction. In addition Kamioka et al [28] reported that there was strong evidence that in a healthy population Pilates exercise improved flexibility and enhanced muscular endurance in the short term.…”

“…Importantly our study observed mean decreases of 33% in the ODQ and 15mm in VAS scores which represents a clinically meaningful change [21,24]. Both Taylor et al [35] and Natour et al [29] employed the VAS to measure pain and observed similar decreases of 19mm and 15.9mm. However in contrast to our study Natour et al [29] measured functional disability using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire which unlike the ODQ requires a response to all questions regardless of patient relevance.…”

“…Both Taylor et al [35] and Natour et al [29] employed the VAS to measure pain and observed similar decreases of 19mm and 15.9mm. However in contrast to our study Natour et al [29] measured functional disability using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire which unlike the ODQ requires a response to all questions regardless of patient relevance. We cannot infer causation using the current study design nor did we investigate mechanisms of action associated with Pilates exercise although the improvements in functional disability may be suggestive of muscle recruitment (TrA, MF) which enhance static and dynamic posture [13].…”

“…Akaha et al [27] reported that deficiencies in trunk flexibility closely reflected selfreported disability in activities of daily living and the fingertip to floor distance (FFD) test measures trunk flexibility and can be used to study lumbar impairment. Pilates based exercise has been suggested to demonstrate positive effects for improved general function and pain reduction with some evidence to support improvements in flexibility and enhanced muscle endurance [28] and as such may offer an alternative cost effective method in the management of LBP [29]. Increasingly therapists in Australia and the United States are using Pilates as an intervention in the management of chronic LBP [12] despite minimal scientific evidence to support the technique [11,14].…”