Effect of pilates exercise on cross-sectional area of multifidus muscle, pain and disability in people with chronic low back pain

Abstract

Purpose This single-blinded randomised control trial was carried out to determine the effect of 6 weeks Pilates exercises program on the cross-sectional area of lumbar multifidus muscles, pain, and disability level among patients with chronic low back pain. The study was also aimed to determine whether Pilates exercises are superior to conventional therapy in improving the cross-sectional area of lumbar multifidus muscles, pain and disability in patients with low back pain. Methods Thirty-Six patients with LBP who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either Pilates (n = 18) or conventional group (n = 18) by balloting. The Pilates group received 60 minutes Pilates exercise class, two times per weeks and for six weeks and 60 minutes conventional back strengthening exercises, two times per weeks and for six weeks. Outcome measures are Cross Sectional Area (CSA) of multifidus muscles, pain and disability, were measured pre and post-intervention using ultrasonography, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index questionnaire (ODI). The results of the study were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to summarise the data while dependent and independent t-test was computed to determine significance at an alpha level of < 0.05. Results Most of the participants were in the mid-age category (mean = 39.56) and within the normal BMI range (mean = 27.72).CSA of both groups improved significantly (P = 0.002 for Right and P = 0.007 for Left), pain and disability level of both groups were found to significantly decreased (0.000). All the two forms of exercises produced similar effects on CSA of lumbar multifidus muscles, pain level and self-reported disability. Conclusion(s) Pilates exercises are effective in improving CSA of lumbar multifidus muscles, reducing pain and disability level in patients with chronic low back pain Implications pilates exercises should be incorporated into the management of low back patients for increased stability, pain reduction, and lower disability.