title: The effectiveness of the Pilates method: reducing the degree of non-structural scoliosis, and improving flexibility and pain in female college students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of Pilates with regard to the degree of scoliosis, flexibility and pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 31 female students divided into two groups: a control group (CG = 11), which had no therapeutic intervention, and an experimental group (EG = 20), which underwent Pilates-based therapy. We used radiological goniometry measurements to assess the degree of scoliosis, standard goniometry measurements to determine the degree of flexibility and the scale of perceived pain using the Borg CR 10 to quantify the level of pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The independent t test of the Cobb angle (t = - 2.317, p = 0.028), range of motion of trunk flexion (t = 3.088, p = 0.004) and pain (t = -2.478, p = 0.019) showed significant differences between the groups, with best values in the Pilates group. The dependent t test detected a significant decrease in the Cobb angle (Δ% = 38%, t = 6.115, p = 0.0001), a significant increase in trunk flexion (Δ% = 80%, t = -7.977, p = 0.0001) and a significant reduction in pain (Δ% = 60%, t = 7.102, p = 0.0001) in the EG. No significant difference in Cobb angle (t = 0.430, p = 0.676), trunk flexion, (t = 0.938p = 0.371) or pain (t = 0.896, p = 0.391) was found for the CG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Pilates group was better than control group. The Pilates method showed a reduction in the degree of non-structural scoliosis, increased flexibility and decreased pain.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Investigación Biomédica, de la Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay. erivania_70@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Maria Erivânia
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Alves de Araújo
authors.forename: Elirez
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bezerra da Silva
authors.forename: Danielli
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bragade Mello
authors.forename: Samária Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Cader
authors.forename: Afonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shiguemi Inoue Salgado
authors.forename: Estélio Henrique Martin
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Dantas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013334:Students; D055815:Young Adult