Effects of a Mat Pilates Exercise Program on Elderly Women With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain
Condition: Low Back Pain
MeSH terms: Back Pain; Low Back Pain
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The technique of Pilates exercises on a mat has proven to be effective and practically
      applicable to patients with chronic back pain. However, its application in women over 65
      years has not been adequately studied.

      Objective: This assessor-blind randomized clinical trial aims to study the effect of a mat
      Pilates exercise program on pain and functional ability of elderly women with chronic
      nonspecific low back pain.

      Methods: 60 elderly women with chronic nonspecific low back pain (duration of symptoms more
      than 12 weeks) are expected to participate in this study. Participants will be divided into
      two groups of 30 people each; one being intervention and one control. The intervention group
      will follow a custom mat Pilates program (twice per week) for 10 weeks, while the control
      group will not follow any treatment. Pain, functionality, balance, the number of painkillers
      administered, and adherence to exercise will be assessed at the beginning and end of the
      study and will be re-examined six months later.
    

Detailed description: 
      The technique of Pilates exercises on a mat has proven to be effective and practically
      applicable to patients with chronic back pain. However, its application in women over 65
      years has not been adequately studied.

      Objective: This assessor-blind randomized clinical trial aims to study the effect of a mat
      Pilates exercise program on pain and functional ability of elderly women with chronic
      nonspecific low back pain.

      Methods: 60 non-active elderly women with chronic nonspecific low back pain (duration of
      symptoms more than 12 weeks) are expected to participate in this study. Participants will be
      divided into two groups of 30 people each; one being intervention and one control. The
      intervention group will follow a custom mat Pilates program (twice per week), while the
      control group will not follow any treatment. Primary outcomes will include pain with the
      visual analog scale for pain and functionality with the Roland-Morris Questionnaire (RMQ).
      Secondary outcomes will include the balance with the Berg balance scale and the Timed Up and
      Go test, the number of painkillers administered, and the adherence to the exercise that will
      be evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the study and re-evaluated six months after
      the end of the intervention. The treatment period will be 10 weeks.
    

Intervention name(s): Pilates exercise program
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): The program will be individually supervised and will be conducted twice a week at the physiotherapy center.
• Slow execution of 7-10 repetitions of the following Pilates exercises: Pelvic Curl, Pilates Single Legs Lifts & Leg Change, Twist Supine Pilates exercise, Chest Lifts Pilates Exercise, Chest Lift with Rotation Pilates exercise, 100's Prep Pilates Exercise, Single Leg Stretch Pilates Exercise, Front Support Pilates Exercise and Basic Back Extension Pilates Exercise. After the 6th week, while the person will be familiar with the basic exercises of the Pilates method the following exercises will be added: Leg Pull Front, Side Bend Pilates Exercise, Sphinx - Abdominal Lift Pilates Exercise, Shoulder Bridge Prep Pilates and Shoulder Bridge Pilates Exercise. Each session will be completed with breathing exercises and stretching exercises of the torso and lower limbs for 5 minutes.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Mat-pilates exercises; elderly; chronic low back pain; physical therapy; rehabilitation