The Effect of Pilates Trainings on Pain Intensity and Indicators of Balance in the Female with Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis is the most common disease among female that can cause complications such as pain and postural instability. Therefore, it is very important to find the best way for reducing pain and improving balance in these patients. According to the benefits of Pilates trainings, in the current study, the effect of Pilates trainings on pain and posture stability was investigated in female with Osteoarthritis. Twenty-six female with Osteoarthritis with mean age of 54.61 years were selected and randomly assigned into two groups, 13 subjects as experimental (high: 158±5 cm, weight: 70.71±7.89 kg) and 13 subjects as control groups (high: 154±6 cm, weight: 70.38±8.30 kg). Before and after 8 weeks of Pilates trainings, postural stability and pain were measured with Biodex Stability System and Visual analogue scale, respectively. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Significant reduce in pain intensity (P =0.019) and significant increase in balance index (P=0.002) were observed in experimental group. Furthermore, significant reduce in pain intensity (P=0.001) and significant increase in balance index (P=0.001) were showed in experimental group compared to the control group. It maybe concluded that the Pilates training has a positive effect on reducing pain and increasing postural stability. These trainings may be beneficial to the patients with osteoarthritis.