PS-C25-11: PILATES AS AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF EXERCISE TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE IN WOMEN WITH SYSTEMIC HYPERTENSION: A SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Prabhu Nivedita S , Joseph Grace Maria , KN Shivashankara , Maiya Arun G , K Vaishali 
Published: January 2023

Objective:

This review aimed at studying the effects of Pilates as an alternative method of exercise on blood pressure in women with hypertension.

Design and Methods:

A systematic literature search was performed as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines 2020. Databases searched were PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Trial Registry and Database, Physical Therapy Evidence Database (PEDro) applying keywords as pilates, mat pilates, blood pressure, hypertension, elevated blood pressure, systemic hypertension, women. Filters applied were studies published between (01/01/2002 up to 25/06/2022), randomized, non-randomized clinical trials and English language. The Boolean operators used were AND, OR, NOT.

Eligibility criteria:

The articles selected for data synthesis required the following criteria for inclusion: Population: women with systemic hypertension, Intervention: Pilates in any mode of administration (Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Barrel) Comparison group: Control group that has not undergone Pilates training, Outcomes: Arterial blood pressure parameters measured using both mercurial, oscillometric sphygmomanometers, Study Design: Randomized or non-randomized clinical trials.

Results:

A total of 137 records were retrieved from the databases (Cochrane Reviews and Trials Registry (n = 6), PubMed (MEDLINE) (n = 23), CINAHL (n = 13), Scopus (n = 90) and PEDro (n = 5). Deduplication was implemented using the Mendeley® software version yielding a total of 126 records. Records were further excluded based on eligibility (differences in target population: pregnancy, normotensive women, diabetes mellitus, cardiac disease, obesity, pulmonary disease, cancer, mental health, reviews, registered trial protocols and others). The included records (n = 7) were screened (title, abstract and full text) for eligibility by two independent reviewers. Data extraction and synthesis was done using Rayyan® software for systematic reviews by two independent reviewers regulated by a third senior reviewer. Quality assessment of each article was done using the Jadad® Scale for quality of evidence provided in each article.

Out of the 7 studies selected, 3 studies were randomized controlled clinical trials. Significant reduction in systolic, mean arterial blood pressures was reported (n = 5). Diastolic blood pressure did not significantly change with Pilates training (n = 3). Reduction in ambulatory blood pressures, diurnal blood pressures were reported (n = 3). Pilates training was either administered using mats (n = 5) or equipments (n = 2) in combination with aerobic exercise or alone (n = 1).

Conclusion:

Systolic and mean arterial blood pressure have been found to be significantly lowered with Mat Pilates or equipment based Pilates in combination or alone in pre and postmenopausal women with hypertension.