Effects of Pilates Exercises as a Treatment Approach in Patients with Non-Specific Low Back Pain
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Abstract
Background: Chronic non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) poses significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, primarily due to its prevalence and the complexity of its management. Core muscle weakness and impaired motor control are commonly associated with NSLBP, affecting functional capacity and quality of life. Pilates, an exercise regimen emphasizing core strength, flexibility, and mindful movement, has been proposed as a therapeutic intervention to address these underlying issues.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Pilates exercise program in improving pain intensity and lumbar range of motion in individuals with NSLBP.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Outpatient Departments of Madinah Teaching Hospital and Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. Thirty participants aged 30-50 years with NSLBP were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving Pilates exercises plus baseline hot pack treatments or a control group receiving only hot pack treatments. The intervention lasted four weeks, with assessments of pain intensity using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and lumbar range of motion using the Modified Schober’s Test conducted pre- and post-intervention. Statistical analysis involved Wilcoxon tests, paired and independent sample t-tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests, as appropriate, using SPSS version 25.
Results: The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements post-treatment, with NPRS scores reducing from a mean of 4.73 (SD=1.033) to 2.93 (SD=0.594) (p<0.001), and lumbar flexion and extension increasing (pre-test lumbar flexion: mean 5.76, SD=1.487 to post-test: mean 6.01, SD=1.368, p=0.002; pre-test lumbar extension: mean 2.56, SD=0.405 to post-test: mean 2.75, SD=0.360, p=0.001). The control group showed no significant changes in NPRS scores or lumbar range of motion. Between-group analyses confirmed the superior effectiveness of the Pilates intervention in improving pain and functional outcomes.
Conclusion: Pilates exercises significantly improved pain intensity and lumbar range of motion in patients with NSLBP compared to a control treatment, suggesting that Pilates can be an effective, non-invasive treatment option for managing NSLBP.
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