title: Effectiveness of Pilates exercise: A quality evaluation and summary of systematic reviews based on randomized controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this review were to summarize evidence for the effectiveness of Pilates exercise (PE) and to assess the quality of systematic review (SRs) based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review of SRs based on RCTs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were eligible if they were RCTs. Studies included those with one treatment group in which PE was applied. We searched the following databases from 1995 up to August 20, 2014: MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Global Health Library, and Ichushi-Web. We also searched All Cochrane Database and Campbell Systematic Reviews up to August 20, 2014. Based on the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10), we identified a disease targeted for each article.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine studies met all inclusion criteria. As a whole, the quality of the articles was good. Seven studies were about "Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M5456)". There were two studies in "Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z723)". The traits of participants were for females and the comparatively young- and middle-aged. Five SRs for chronic low back pain (CLBP) concluded that there was pain-relief and functional improvement of the intervention in the short term, but two SRs were inconclusive about the effectiveness of PE. There were no adverse events described in any of the studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although no SR reported any adverse effect or harm by PE, there was pain-relief and functional improvement attributed to PE in the short term in participants with CLBP. There was also evidence of improved flexibility and dynamic balance, and of enhanced muscular endurance in healthy people in the short term. In addition, there may have been an effect on body composition in the short term.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Regional Environment Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan. Electronic address: h1kamiok@nodai.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hiroharu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kamioka
authors.affiliation: Tokyo Ariake Medical and Health Science University, Japan.
authors.forename: Kiichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsutani
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Applied Bio-Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Katsumata
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Toyo University, Japan.
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshizaki
authors.affiliation: Mimaki Onsen (Spa) Clinic, Tomi City, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyasu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okuizumi
authors.affiliation: Physical Education and Medicine Research Foundation, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinpei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.affiliation: Physical Education and Medicine Research Foundation, Japan.
authors.forename: Sang-Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Physical Education and Medicine Research Center Unnan, Japan.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kitayuguchi
authors.affiliation: Physical Education and Medicine Research Center Unnan, Japan.
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.affiliation: The Research Institute of Nippon Sport Science University, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiteru
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mutoh
mesh_terms: D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
keywords: International Classification of Diseases-10; Pilates exercise; Randomized controlled trial; Systematic review