title: Pilates exercise training vs. physical therapy for improving walking and balance in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate the effects of a Pilates exercise programme on walking and balance in people with multiple sclerosis and compare this exercise approach to conventional physical therapy sessions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple Sclerosis Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five people with multiple sclerosis, 29 females, mean age (SD) was 43.2 (11.6) years; mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (S.D) was 4.3 (1.3).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants received 12 weekly training sessions of either Pilates ( n=22) or standardized physical therapy ( n=23) in an outpatient basis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spatio-temporal parameters of walking and posturography parameters during static stance. Functional tests included the Time Up and Go Test, 2 and 6-minute walk test, Functional Reach Test, Berg Balance Scale and the Four Square Step Test. In addition, the following self-report forms included the Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the termination, both groups had significantly increased their walking speed ( P=0.021) and mean step length ( P=0.023). According to the 2-minute and 6-minute walking tests, both groups at the end of the intervention program had increased their walking speed. Mean (SD) increase in the Pilates and physical therapy groups were 39.1 (78.3) and 25.3 (67.2) meters, respectively. There was no effect of group X time in all instrumented and clinical balance and gait measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pilates is a possible treatment option for people with multiple sclerosis in order to improve their walking and balance capabilities. However, this approach does not have any significant advantage over standardized physical therapy.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Physical Therapy, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Alon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalron
authors.affiliation: 2 Multiple Sclerosis Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: Uri
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rosenblum
authors.affiliation: 2 Multiple Sclerosis Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: Lior
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frid
authors.affiliation: 2 Multiple Sclerosis Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.|3 Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Anat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Achiron
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010045:Outpatients; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D004856:Postural Balance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000072797:Walking Speed
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; Pilates exercises; balance; gait; physical therapy