gms | German Medical Science

Background: Pilates has become a popular exercise in rehabilitation.

Aim: To investigate the effects of pilates exercise by training the muscles responsible for core stabilization in patients with chronic low back pain (CLPB); considering pain, functional level, depression, quality of life, and muscle thickness measured by ultrasound imaging and to compare it with home based exercise.

Method: A prospective, randomized-single blinded study included 60 female patients with CLBP aged 18–60 years.Patients were randomized into 2 groups. The first group (n=30) performed pilates 3 days/week for 8 weeks. The second group (n=30) was given home exercise program 3 times/week for 8 weeks. The evaluations were made both at the beginning and end of the treatment. Evaluation parameters included VAS (visual analogue scale), Oswestry Disability Index, Qubec Disability Scale, Short Form-36, Beck Depression Questionnaire, sit and reach test, Schöber test, sit up test. Multifidus and abdominal muscle thickness were measured by ultrasonographic imaging.

Results/findings: The mean age of Group 1 and 2 were 49.3±10.4, 48.4±9.3 respectively. The duration of pain of Group 1 and 2 were 5.8±4.1, 6.3±3.5 years respectively. 28 of the Pilates group, 25 of the home exercise group patients completed the task. Significant improvement has been observed in all parameters in both groups. Comparing the 2 groups, Pilates exercise was found to be more effective in decreasing pain level and depression; increasing flexibility, endurance, functional level, and quality of life (p<0.05). Although there was a significant increase in muscle thickness in both groups (p˂0.05), pilates group was far much better (p<0,0001).

Discussion and conclusions: Both the pilates exercise and the home exercise program provided significant improvements however pilates exercise group was superior in all parameters in CLBP.