Pilates Method in Helicopter Pilots With Low Back Pain

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of an exercise program, based on the Pilates method, on the low back pain and muscle fatigue of Brazilian Air Force helicopter pilots.

Detailed Description
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Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial composed by Brazilian Air Force helicopter instructors. The volunteers will be submitted to an initial evaluation composed by painful sensation, analyzed through the Numerical Pain Scale, disability associated with low back pain, using the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, and back muscle fatigue, through the Ito test. The pilots will be randomly assigned to the Exercise Group (exercise program based on the Pilates method, twice a week for 12 weeks) and Control Group (no intervention). After the sixth and 12th week of the beginning of the intervention program a new evaluation will be carried out, identical to the initial one.

Official Title
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Effects of an Exercise Program Based on the Pilates Method in Brazilian Air Force Helicopter Pilots With Low Back Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Low Back Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Pilates Group


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Brazilian Air Force helicopter instructors - Natal Air Base; Nonspecific low back pain for more than 3 months with a score of 2 or more at Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Exclusion Criteria: Be undergoing physiotherapeutic treatment during the study period; Corticosteroids treatment in the last two weeks; Anti-inflammatory treatment in the previous 72 hours; Have specific spinal pathologies, such as spondylitis, spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, disc herniation with radiculopathy or those who have had spinal surgery in the last year or who have a recent history of spinal fracture.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 38 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Pilates Group<br>12-weeks exercise program, twice a week, with Pilates method exercises. | Other: Pilates Group<br>* The individuals of the Pilates group will perform specific exercises of the method, which will involve mobility, stability and muscular resistance. The exercises will progress according to the level of difficulty (basic, intermediate and advanced), load and repetition every three or four weeks.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control Group<br>12-weeks maintaining their normal physical activity routine. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Painful sensation | To compare the painful sensation in the lumbar region using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) across a range of 11, with 0 being described as 'no pain' and 10 as 'worst possible pain'. | Change from baseline in low back pain sensation at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after the intervention protocol | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Functional disability associated to back pain | To analyze the self-report low back pain disability through the Roland Morris Disability questionnaire. | Change from baseline in disability at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after the intervention protocol | 
| Back muscle fatigue | Measure the back muscular resistance to fatigue using the Ito test | Change from baseline in back muscle fatigue at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after the intervention protocol | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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low back pain, physiotherapy, muscle fatigue