The efficacy of clinical Pilates exercises in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: A pilot study

Abstract

ObjectivesOur study was planned to investigate the effect of Clinical Pilates exercises in children and adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). MethodsFifteen participants diagnosed with JIA (mean age=12.00±3.40 years) were included. The participants were randomly divided into two groups as Clinical Pilates exercise group (n=6), and home exercise group (n=9). Clinical Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (cJADAS), Wong Baker Face Scale, Brunininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Second Edition Short Form (BOT-2 SF), Juvenile Arthritis Biopsychosocial Scale (JAB-Q scale), and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 3.0 Arthritis Module was used for evaluation before and after treatment. Exercises were performed by both groups 3 times a week for 6 weeks. ResultsIn the analysis of the before and after treatment results, a significant difference was observed in cJADAS (p=.027), manual dexterity (p=.020), running speed and agility (p=.027) subtests of BOT-2 SF, total score of BOT-2 SF (p=.042) and daily activity (p=.043) subtests of PedsQL child form in the Clinical Pilates exercise group. While there was statistically significant differences in manual dexterity (p=.024), running speed and agility (p=.041) and upper limb coordination (p=.034) subtests of BOT-2, and parent form of JAB-Q (p=.041) in home exercise group. When the delta values were compared, the difference was significant in the upper limb coordination subtest of BOT-2 SF (p=.008), and daily activities subtest of PedsQL child form (p=.003) in favour of the Clinical Pilates exercise group. ConclusionsClinical Pilates exercises are a safe and useful method for children/adolescent with JIA.