OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effects of a Pilates exercise programme on walking and balance in people with multiple sclerosis and compare this exercise approach to conventional physical therapy sessions.
DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.
SETTING: Multiple Sclerosis Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
SUBJECTS: Forty-five people with multiple sclerosis, 29 females, mean age (SD) was 43.2 (11.6) years; mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (S.D) was 4.3 (1.3).
INTERVENTIONS: Participants received 12 weekly training sessions of either Pilates ( n=22) or standardized physical therapy ( n=23) in an outpatient basis.
MAIN MEASURES: Spatio-temporal parameters of walking and posturography parameters during static stance. Functional tests included the Time Up and Go Test, 2 and 6-minute walk test, Functional Reach Test, Berg Balance Scale and the Four Square Step Test. In addition, the following self-report forms included the Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale.
RESULTS: At the termination, both groups had significantly increased their walking speed ( P=0.021) and mean step length ( P=0.023). According to the 2-minute and 6-minute walking tests, both groups at the end of the intervention program had increased their walking speed. Mean (SD) increase in the Pilates and physical therapy groups were 39.1 (78.3) and 25.3 (67.2) meters, respectively. There was no effect of group X time in all instrumented and clinical balance and gait measures.
CONCLUSIONS: Pilates is a possible treatment option for people with multiple sclerosis in order to improve their walking and balance capabilities. However, this approach does not have any significant advantage over standardized physical therapy.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to disseminate advice imparted to early career psychiatrists by a panel of senior colleagues at a Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists symposium, reflecting on things they wished they had known at the earlier stage in their careers.
METHODS: Key themes were extracted from notes taken at the symposium, where opinions were expressed by three senior psychiatrists.
RESULTS: There are components in building a sustainable career as a psychiatrist, which include considering one's work environment and relationships with colleagues; self-care, mentorship and reflective practice; and seeking opportunities to teach and research for career progression.
CONCLUSIONS: The mentorship and advice from senior colleagues can be highly influential. In order to sustain a career that has reward, meaning and longevity, psychiatrists would do well to pay attention to aspects of self-care, stay connected to their loved ones, seek an optimal work-life balance and take an interest in their long term career plans.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of pilates method on patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP).
METHOD: A randomized controlled trial was carried out in sixty patients with a diagnosis of chronic non-specific LBP. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Experimental Group (EG) that maintained medication treatment with use of NSAID and underwent treatment with the pilates method and Control Group (CG) that continue medication treatment with use of NSAID and did not undergo any other intervention. A blinded assessor performed all evaluations at baseline (T0), after 45, 90, and 180 days (T45, T90 and T180) for: pain (VAS), function (Roland Morris questionnaire), quality of life (SF-36), satisfaction with treatment (Likert scale), flexibility (sit and reach test) and NSAID intake.
RESULTS: The groups were homogeneous at baseline. Statistical differences favoring the EG were found with regard to pain (P < 0.001), function (P < 0.001) and the quality of life domains of functional capacity (P < 0.046), pain (P < 0.010) and vitality (P < 0.029). Statistical differences were also found between groups regarding the use of pain medication at T45, T90 and T180 (P < 0.010), with the EG taking fewer NSAIDs than the CG.
CONCLUSIONS: The pilates method can be used by patients with LBP to improve pain, function and aspects related to quality of life (functional capacity, pain and vitality). Moreover, this method has no harmful effects on such patients.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of Clinical Pilates Exercises on bone mineral density (BMD), physical performance and quality of life (QOL) in postmenopausal osteoporosis.
METHODS: Forty-one women were recruited to the study. The subjects were divided into two groups, as the Pilates group and the control group. Subjects were evaluated for BMD at the lumbar region. Physical performance level was measured. Pain intensity level was scored with Visual Analogue Scale. QUALEFFO-41 was used for assessing QOL.
RESULTS: BMD values increased in the Pilates group (p < 0.05), while BMD decreased in the control group (p< 0.05). Physical performance test results showed significant increases in the Pilates group (p< 0.05) whereas there was no changes in the control group (p> 0.05). Pain intensity level in the Pilates group was significantly decreased after the exercise (p< 0.05), while it was unchanged in the control group. There were significant increases in all parameters of QOL in the Pilates group. Conversely, some parameters of QOL showed decreases in the control group (p< 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Pilates Exercises is effective to increase BMD; QOL and walking distance and also beneficial to relieve pain. Physiotherapist can use Pilates Exercises for the subjects with osteoporosis in the clinics.
BACKGROUND: Physical exercise has been used in the treatment of hypertension. However, there are few methods researched and shown beneficial for treatment of hypertension. The objective was to evaluate the effect of Mat Pilates training (MP) on blood pressure (BP) of hypertensive women medicated with antihypertensive drugs.
METHODS: 44 hypertensive women (50.5 ± 6.3 years age), treated with medication for blood pressure and, uninvolved in structured exercise program were distributed into two groups: Training Group (TG) and Control Group (CG). TG performed 60-minute sessions of MP, twice a week for 16 weeks. CG was requested to maintain daily activities without exercise training. The following variables were evaluated during the pre- and post-experimental periods: clinical and ambulatory BP, heart rate (HR) and double product (DP), besides body mass, height, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, flexibility, and right and left hand strengths.
RESULTS: TG showed statistically significant improvements (p<0.05) within and between-groups for the systolic, diastolic and mean BP in all moments evaluated (clinical, 24h, awake and asleep). Besides that, TG showed improvements in height, waist and hip circumferences, flexibility, right and left hand strengths and clinical DP. The other variables in TG, as well as all variables in the CG didn't show significant changes.
CONCLUSION: In hypertensive women using antihypertensive medications, MP reduces clinical and ambulatory BP. These results support the recommendation of MP as a non-drug treatment for hypertension.
Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common causes of disability, and the Pilates method has been associated with improvements in symptoms. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the Pilates method, when compared to general exercises, on pain and functionality after eight weeks (16 sessions, 2×/week) and a follow-up of three months, in subjects with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). A randomised controlled trial composed of 22 subjects was proposed. Subjects were allocated into two groups: the Pilates group (PG) (n = 11) and the general exercise group (GEG) (n = 11). The PG protocol was based on the Pilates method and the GEG performed exercises to manage NSCLBP. There were no differences between the groups. When analysed over time, the GEG demonstrated improvements in functionality between baseline and the end of treatment (P = .02; Cohen'sd¯ = 0.34) and baseline and follow-up (P = .04; Cohen'sd¯ = 0.31). There were no differences between the Pilates and general exercises with regard to pain and functionality in NSCLBP subjects but general exercises were better than Pilates for increasing functionality and flexibility.
BACKGROUND: The Pilates method has been widely used to treat patients with chronic low back pain. Pilates exercises can be performed in 2 ways: by using specific equipment or without it (also known as mat Pilates). There are no studies, however, that have compared the effectiveness of mat Pilates with that of equipment-based Pilates.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of mat Pilates and equipment-based Pilates in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
DESIGN: A 2-arm randomized controlled trial with a blinded assessor was conducted.
SETTING: The study was conducted at a private physical therapy clinic in Brazil.
PATIENTS: Eighty-six patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain participated.
INTERVENTION: The patients were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 groups: a mat Pilates group (n=43) and an equipment-based Pilates group (n=43). The participants in both groups attended 12 Pilates sessions over a period of 6 weeks.
MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcomes were pain intensity and disability. The secondary outcomes were global perceived effect, patient's specific disability, and kinesiophobia. A blinded assessor evaluated the outcomes at baseline and 6 weeks and 6 months after randomization.
RESULTS: After 6 months, there was a statistically significant difference for disability (mean difference=3.0 points, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.6 to 5.4), specific disability (mean difference=-1.1 points, 95% CI=-2.0 to -0.1), and kinesiophobia (mean difference=4.9 points, 95% CI=1.6 to 8.2) in favor of equipment-based Pilates. No differences were found for the remaining outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Equipment-based Pilates was superior to mat Pilates in the 6-month follow-up for the outcomes of disability and kinesiophobia. These benefits were not observed for pain intensity and global perceived effect in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
BACKGROUND: Although there are evidences as to Pilates developing dynamic balance, muscle strength and flexibility in healthy people, evidences related to its effects on Multiple Sclerosis patients are insufficient.
OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of Pilates on balance, mobility, and strength in ambulatory patients with Multiple Sclerosis.
METHODS: Twenty six patients were divided into two groups as experimental (n = 18) and control (n = 8) groups for an 8-week treatment program. The experimental group underwent Pilates and the control group did abdominal breathing and active extremity exercises at home. Balance and mobility were measured with Berg Balance Scale and Timed up and go test, upper and lower muscle strength with hand-held dynamometer. Confidence in balance skills while performing daily activities was evaluated with Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale.
RESULTS: Improvements were observed in balance, mobility, and upper and lower extremity muscle strength in the Pilates group (p < 0.05). No significant differences in any outcome measures were observed in the control group (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Due to its structure which is made up of balance and strengthening exercises, Pilates training may develop balance, mobility and muscle strength of MS patients. For this reason, we think that, Pilates exercises which are appropriate for the disability level of the patient may be suggested.
Evaluate the effects of a Pilates exercise programme on walking and balance in people with multiple sclerosis and compare this exercise approach to conventional physical therapy sessions.
DESIGN:
Randomized controlled trial.
SETTING:
Multiple Sclerosis Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
SUBJECTS:
Forty-five people with multiple sclerosis, 29 females, mean age (SD) was 43.2 (11.6) years; mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (S.D) was 4.3 (1.3).
INTERVENTIONS:
Participants received 12 weekly training sessions of either Pilates ( n=22) or standardized physical therapy ( n=23) in an outpatient basis.
MAIN MEASURES:
Spatio-temporal parameters of walking and posturography parameters during static stance. Functional tests included the Time Up and Go Test, 2 and 6-minute walk test, Functional Reach Test, Berg Balance Scale and the Four Square Step Test. In addition, the following self-report forms included the Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale.
RESULTS:
At the termination, both groups had significantly increased their walking speed ( P=0.021) and mean step length ( P=0.023). According to the 2-minute and 6-minute walking tests, both groups at the end of the intervention program had increased their walking speed. Mean (SD) increase in the Pilates and physical therapy groups were 39.1 (78.3) and 25.3 (67.2) meters, respectively. There was no effect of group X time in all instrumented and clinical balance and gait measures.
CONCLUSIONS:
Pilates is a possible treatment option for people with multiple sclerosis in order to improve their walking and balance capabilities. However, this approach does not have any significant advantage over standardized physical therapy.
