Results of a Pilates exercise program in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of a Pilates exercise program on disability, pain, lumbar mobility, flexibility and balance in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
University laboratory.


METHODS
A total of 54 patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.


METHODS
Patients were randomly allocated to an experimental group ( n=27) included in a Pilates exercise program or to a control group ( n=27) receiving information in a form of a leaflet.


METHODS
Disability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and Oswestry Disability Index), current, average and pain at it least and at its worst (Visual Analogue Scales), lumbar mobility (modified Shober test), flexibility (finger-to-floor test) and balance (single limb stance test) were measured at baseline and after the intervention.


RESULTS
A between-group analysis showed significant differences in the intervention group compared to the control group for both disability scores, the Rolland-Morris questionnaire (mean change±standard deviation of 5.31±3.37 and 2.40±6.78 respectively and between-groups mean difference of 3.2 ± 4.12, p=0.003) and the Oswestry Disability Index ( p<0.001), current pain ( p=0.002) and pain at it least ( p=0.033), flexibility (0.032) and balance (0.043).


CONCLUSIONS
An 8-week Pilates exercise program is effective in improving disability, pain, flexibility and balance in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.
Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, Spain.
M C
MC
Valenza
Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, Spain.
J
J
Rodríguez-Torres
Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, Spain.
I
I
Cabrera-Martos
Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, Spain.
A
A
Díaz-Pelegrina
Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, Spain.
M E
ME
Aguilar-Ferrándiz
Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, Spain.
Y
Y
Castellote-Caballero
D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011788:Quality of Life; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Pilates; chronic pain; disability evaluation; exercise movement techniques; low back pain