Effectiveness of Pilates Exercise on Disability in Low Back Pain Patients: A Meta-Analysis Review Paper

Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the main problems resulting in
pain and disability in society. The aim of this meta-analysis review study was to
examine and summarize the benefits of Pilate’s exercises on disability in patients
with low back pain (LBP).
Methods: This is a meta-analysis review article. Research was conducted from
March 2005 to December 2018. Patients with chronic low back pain formed the
statistical population of this study. The keywords were Pilates together with low
back pain, chronic low back pain, and back pain. The Medline, Embase, Pubmed,
Google Scholar, Scopus, and SID databases were searched for relevant literature.
Results: Nineteen papers, including 15 high quality and 4 poor quality papers,
were assessed. The results showed that Pilates exercises had a significant and
high effect size (P=0.000) on disability in comparison with the control group
(Hedges g=1.183) as well as a significant (P=0.000) and medium effect size
compared with the exercise group (Hedges g=0.526). When the durability of the
Pilates exercise effect was assessed in the follow-up period, a significant and low
effect size (P=0.017) was found in the Pilates group compared with the control
group (Hedges g=0.488).
Conclusion: Pilates exercises improved the stability of patients with LBP
compared to the control group. The effect of Pilates exercises decreased during
follow-up after 13 weeks of inactivity. Pilates exercises are more effective than
other types of exercise. Equipment Pilates exercises have a greater effect than
mat Pilates on disability improvement during the follow-up periods; thus, it is
advisable for therapists to use Pilates-based equipment exercises to increase the
stability of patients with LBP.