title: Feasibility and outcomes of a classical Pilates program on lower extremity strength, posture, balance, gait, and quality of life in someone with impairments due to a stroke.
abstract: Pilates is a method that can potentially be used for stroke rehabilitation to address impairments in gait, balance, strength, and posture. The purpose of this case report was to document the feasibility of using Pilates and to describe outcomes of a 9-month program on lower extremity strength, balance, posture, gait, and quality of life in an individual with stroke. The participant was taught Pilates exercises up to two times per week for nine months in addition to traditional rehabilitation in the United States. Outcomes were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Stroke Impact Scale (SIS), GAITRite System(®), 5 repetition sit-to-stand test (STST), and flexicurve. Improvements were found in balance, lower extremity strength, and quality of life. Posture and gait speed remained the same. While these changes cannot be specifically attributed to the intervention, Pilates may have added to his overall rehabilitation program and with some modifications was feasible to use in someone with a stroke.
authors.affiliation: The Pilates Principle, Latham, NY, USA; Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, School of Health Sciences, The Sage Colleges, 65 Ferry Street, Troy, NY 12180, USA. Electronic address: sarahrshea@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.affiliation: Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, School of Health Sciences, The Sage Colleges, 65 Ferry Street, Troy, NY 12180, USA.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moriello
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004644:Emotions; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D053580:Muscle Strength; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture; D011788:Quality of Life; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation
keywords: Alternative therapies; Cerebrovascular accident (CVA); Exercise rehabilitation; Feasibility of Pilates; Pilates