Effects of Modified Pilates Exercises on Pain, Disability, and Lumbopelvic Motor Control in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Musculoskeletal disorders, like Low Back Pain (LBP) are associated with impaired lumbopelvic motor control. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of modified Pilates exercises on pain, disability, and lumbopelvic motor control in patients with chronic LBP. 

In this randomized controlled single-blind clinical trial, 30 chronic patients with chronic LBP were selected using the convenience sampling method. Then, they were randomly assigned to two groups of control and modified Pilates exercises. The treatment program in the modified Pilates exercises group was based on the Pilates method, and the control group performed general exercises. Lumbar-pelvic motion control index (compression biofeedback unit), muscle tardiness (Endurance test & Sorensen test), pain score (Visual Analogue Scale), and functional disability score (Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire) were measured before and after the intervention. The collected data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test and Mann-Whitney U Test (P<0.05).

In the modified Pilates exercise group, pain score and disability index suggested significant differences (P=0.001). The lumbar-pelvic control index in the BKFO indicated a significant change (P=0.004). Besides, lumbar muscle endurance also presented a significant change (P=0.001). There was no significant difference between the investigated variables in the intergroup comparison (P>0.05).

The modified Pilates exercises effectively increased the level of muscle endurance and the control of lumbar-pelvic motion, and reduced pain and disability.