Effect of Six Week Pilates Exercises on Disability, Abdominal and Back Muscle Strength in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain Due to Disc Herniation

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Pilates exercises on disability and abdominal and back muscle strength in patients with chronic low back pain caused by disc herniation. 30 male and female patients with chronic low back pain due to disc herniation were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent six weeks pilates exercises; whereas the control group received conventional treatment at the same time. Questionnaire Oswestry,Straight leg raising test and Dynamometer test were used to assess variables disability, abdominal muscle endurance and back muscle endurance, respectively Analysis of covariance test was used to analyze the data. Results showed that the pilates exercises for six weeks caused a significant reduction in disability and a significant increase in abdominal muscle strength and back muscles strength the experimental group than the control group. Hence, cautious prescription of pilates exercises for these patients would be beneficial.