Pilates to Improve Core Muscle Activation in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review

Preventing chronic low back pain: investigating the role of Pilates in subacute management-a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Subacute low back pain (LBP) is a critical phase that can determine long-term patient outcomes. Exercise therapy, including Pilates, is widely used to manage LBP, but its effectiveness in the subacute phase remains underexplored. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of an 8-week Pilates-based intervention versus a home exercise program on pain intensity, functional disability, and quality of life in patients with subacute LBP.

METHODS

Sixty-six participants with subacute LBP were randomized into two groups: a supervised Pilates group and a home exercise group. Pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), functional disability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire), and quality of life (Short Form-36) were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Both groups exhibited significant improvements in all outcome measures (p < 0.001). However, the Pilates group showed superior reductions in pain intensity (p = 0.010 post-treatment, p = 0.002 at follow-up) and functional disability (p = 0.009 and p = 0.002). Additionally, quality of life scores improved more significantly in the Pilates group, particularly in physical function (p = 0.031 and p = 0.025) and general health (p = 0.005 and p = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

Pilates-based rehabilitation was more effective than a home exercise program in improving pain, disability, and quality of life in patients with subacute LBP. These findings support the inclusion of Pilates in early-stage rehabilitation to prevent chronicity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials Number: NCT06699511.

Is Mat pilates effective in lower limb strength and hand grip strength of people with Parkinson's? A randomized clinical trial with follow-up

INTRODUCTION

Parkinson's disease can contribute to the loss of muscle strength, and physical exercise such as Mat Pilates can be effective in improving this, core stability, flexibility, and muscle control.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effects of a 12-week intervention with Mat Pilates in the short and long term, on lower limb and hand grip strength in people with Parkinson's.

METHODS

The study included 23 people (61.7 ± 7.5 years) of both sexes, diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who were selected according to inclusion criteria and divided into intervention and control groups.

RESULTS

The hand grip variable showed improvement in the intervention group intragroup only in the right hand (p = 0.003) in the post-intervention period. In the lower limb strength variable, there was significance in the extension of the left leg both in the intervention intragroup (p = 0.042), and in the control group (p = 0.001) the result in the flexion of the left leg in the intervention group (p = 0.032). The follow-up data showed significance in the strength of extension of the right leg in the intervention group (p = 0.049) and in the control group (p = 0.024) and in the extension of the left leg in the intervention group (p = 0.021).

CONCLUSION

Mat Pilates classes for people with Parkinson's with mild and moderate degrees proved to be effective in the short term in the hand grip strength of the right hand, and in the extension and flexion of the left legs, and positive effects in the long term in the strength of extension of the right also left legs.

Effect of Pilates Exercises on Pain, Endurance, Quality-of-Life, and Disability in Postmenopausal Women With Low Back Pain

PURPOSE

To determine the effect of Pilates exercises on pain, endurance, quality-of-life, and disability in post-menopausal women with low back pain.

METHODS

After obtaining signed written consent, 128 women in the post-menopausal stage were randomly allocated to two groups: group 'A' (experimental) and group 'B' (control-conventional). The participants underwent evaluations for disability using the Oswestry Disability Scale. Pain levels were recorded using a numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), while endurance was tested using the Krause Weber test. Quality of life (QOL) was evaluated using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Both the exercises Pilates (group A) and the conventional exercise (group B) showed improvement and compared to group B, group A showed significant changes in all outcome variables.

CONCLUSION

Pilates training proves superior to conventional physical therapy for alleviating non-specific LBP and enhancing lumbar health in post-menopausal women.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI), CTRI/2024/04/065057. Registered on 02/04/2024.

Eight-Week Pilates or Whole-Body High-Intensity Interval Training Program Improves Spinal Range of Motion During the Gait Cycle in Sedentary Women: A Preliminary Study

This study aimed to compare the effects of Pilates (PIL) and whole-body high-intensity interval training (WBHIIT) on the spinal curvature of sedentary women. After being invited, 26 sedentary women aged between 20 and 54 voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. The sample was obtained through convenience sampling, and the participants chose either PIL or WBHIIT, which resulted in 13 participants in each group. Spinal posture was assessed pre- and post-intervention through videogrammetry during standing and walking. Markers were placed on the back, and the volunteers were instructed to remain in a standing position on a stationary treadmill for ten seconds. Subsequently, the treadmill was activated at a speed of 5 km/h. After one minute of walking, a complete gait cycle was recorded for analysis. The results showed no significant changes in spinal angles in static position between groups. However, in the walking position, there was a large-magnitude increase in the spinal range of motion (ROM) post-intervention (PIL Lumbar d = 1.8; PIL Thoracic d = 2.9; WBHIIT Lumbar d = 1.0; WBHIIT Thoracic d = 3.5) within groups in the sagittal plane. The adaptations promoted by these interventions in spinal ROM are important for reducing the risks of spinal stiffness and pain due to sedentary behaviour.

Effects of Pilates Exercises on Core Stability After Recovery from COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose

The primary objective was to investigate the effects of Pilates exercises on CS, and the secondary objective was to assess static trunk balance after recovery from COVID-19.

Patients and Methods

145 recovered COVID-19 university students between the ages of 19 and 25 participated in this single-blinded, randomized controlled trial study. The participants were divided into a Pilates group and a control group, each of which received a home exercise program. Core muscle endurance was measured using the five basic endurance tests and static balance using the Prokin system with open eyes (OE) and closed eyes (CE) at baseline and after three months of treatment.

Results

All measured parameters showed improvement within the groups after treatment. Group comparison revealed a significant increase in the Pilates group in all core endurance tests (P<0.001). The Prokin system results showed improvement in the Pilates group after treatment, while perimeter with OE, CE, and ellipse area with EC decreased (P<0.001), but there was no significant difference in ellipse with OE between the groups.

Conclusion

Pilates exercises positively improved core muscle endurance and trunk balance in people infected with COVID-19, which will be reflected in their quality of movement patterns and quality of life.

Movement variability in Pilates: a scoping review

Objective

This scoping review aimed to identify studies that analyzed movement variability in Pilates. Following a systematic approach to mapping evidence on this topic would highlight concepts, theories, sources, and knowledge gaps in this area.

Methods

This review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) criteria for the selection, reading, and analysis of studies in this area. We searched five literature databases (Web of Science, SCOPUS, library catalog of the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education of the University of Coimbra-EBSCO Discovery Services, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar). Eligible articles contained the word "Pilates," and the human movement variability was analyzed. Any type of study (except reviews) could be eligible and must have been published between 1 January 2002 and 30 November 2022, in Portuguese, Spanish, French, or English.

Results

Our search identified five eligible entries. Only one study used the Pilates method in its intervention, pointing to a more significant variability of hip-knee coordination, suggesting more diversified coordination patterns, and maintaining the variability of the angular position of the joint.

Conclusion

Very few studies have examined movement variability in Pilates, and only one applied an ecological framework.