Effects of Pilates Training on Respiratory Muscle Strenght in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis

Background: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, inflammatory rheumatic disease that effects primarily axial-spine. Reduction of flexibility and mobility is important factors that can cause muscle weakness, impairment quality of life, reduction of exercise tolerance and pulmonary capacity with the progression of AS. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of pilates exercises on mobility, quality of life and respiratory muscle strength in patients with AS.

Methods: Forty patients will be included who are aged between 18-55 years and got diagnosed according to Modified New York criterias.Patients will be divided into two groups randomly. Pilates training will be performed to the treatment group and conventional exercises will be performed to the control group during 8 weeks. Respiratory muscle strength, quality of life, spinal mobility, thorax expansion, respiratory functions, physical activity level, exercise capasity and disease activity will be evaluated at first session and at the end of the 8th week in this study.

Objective: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, inflammatory rheumatic disease that effects primarily axial-spine. With progression of disease, flexibility of thorax and spine will be get lost. It is reported that mobility, function, respiratory muscle strength and endurance get worse in AS patients. Reduction of flexibility and mobility is important factors that can cause muscle weakness, impairment quality of life, reduction of exercise tolerance and pulmonary capacity with the progression of AS. To writer's knowledge, there has been no study examining the effects of pilates exercises on mobility, function and respiratory muscle strength in AS patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of pilates exercises on mobility, function and respiratory muscle strength in patients with AS.

Methods: Forty patients were included who are aged between 18-65 years and got diagnosed according to Modified New York criterias. Patients who have incooperation, malignancy and pregnancy will be excluded from the study. Patients will be divided into two groups randomly. Pilates training will be performed to the treatment group and conventional exercises will be performed to the control group during 8 weeks Respiratory muscle strength will be assessed by maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures. Thorax expansion will be measured from regions of axillar, subcostal and epigastric by tape measure. To evaluate disease activity and spinal mobility, we will use Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), respectively. Quality of life will be evaluated with Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (ASQoL). Exercise capacity will be assessed by 6 minutes walk test. Pilates exercises will be performed 3 days in a week for 8 weeks. Conventional exercise programme will be taugt to the control group and requested to perform them at home. The assessments will be repeated in before and after treatment.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients who are aged between 18-55 years,
* Patients who got diagnosed according to Modified New York criteria
* Patients who are being followed at Gazi University Department of Rheumatology.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who have exercise habits
* Incooperation
* Malignancy
* Pregnancy
* Patients who have changes of medical treatment in the last 3 months
* Patients who have another disease that can effect pulmonary functions