Positive Health Online

Abstract

FOX and COLLEAGUES, 1. E.E. Fox, PhD, Faculty of Health and Human Science, Plymouth University, Plymouth, United Kingdom; 2. A.D. Hough, PhD, Faculty of Health and Human Science, Plymouth University; 3. S. Creanor, BSc(Hons), Peninsula Colleges of Medicine & Dentistry, Plymouth University; 4. M. Gear, MSc, NHS Shetland, Shetland, Scotland; 5. J.A. Freeman, PhD, Faculty of Health and Human Sciences, Peninsula Allied Health Centre, Room FF21, Derriford Rd, Plymouth, PL6 8BH, United Kingdom. jenny.freeman@plymouth.ac.uk conducted a multicenter, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of 12 weeks of Pilates exercises with relaxation on balance and mobility

Background

Pilates exercise is often undertaken by people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have balance and mobility difficulties. The primary aim of the study was to compare the effects of 12 weeks of Pilates exercises with relaxation on balance and mobility. Secondary aims were: (1) to compare standardized exercises with relaxation and (2) to compare Pilates exercises with standardized exercises.

Methodology

A multicenter, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores of 4.0 to 6.5 were randomly allocated to groups receiving 12 weeks of Pilates exercises, standardized exercises, or relaxation. Assessments were undertaken at baseline and weeks 12 and 16 (primary outcome measure: 10-Meter Timed Walk Test [10MTW]).

Results

One hundred participants (mean age=54 years, 74% female) were randomized to study groups. Six participants relapsed (withdrew from the study), leaving 94 participants for intention-to-treat analysis. There was no significant difference in mean 10MTW measurements between the Pilates and relaxation groups. At 12 weeks, there was a mean reduction of 4.2 seconds for the standardized exercise group compared with the relaxation group (95% confidence interval [relaxation group minus standardized exercise group measurements]=0.0, 8.4) and a mean reduction of 3.7 seconds for the Pilates group compared with the standardized exercise group (95% confidence interval [Pilates group minus standardized exercise group measurements]=-0.4 to 7.8). At 16 weeks, mean 10MTW times for the standardized exercise group remained quicker than those for the Pilates and relaxation groups, although the differences were nonsignificant. There were no significant differences between the Pilates and relaxation groups for any secondary outcome measure. Limitations: In this study, therapists were limited to a standardized basket of exercises that may have affected the study outcomes. Furthermore, choosing measures such as posturography to assess balance, accelerometry to assess walking, or a specific trunk assessment scale might have been more responsive in detecting changes in outcome.

Conclusion

Participants did not improve significantly, either in the short term or at the 4-week follow-up, on the 10MTW after 12 weeks of Pilates exercises compared with 12 weeks of relaxation.

References

Fox EE1, Hough AD2, Creanor S3, Gear M4, Freeman JA5. Effects of Pilates-Based Core Stability Training in Ambulant People With Multiple Sclerosis: Multicenter, Assessor-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial. Phys Ther. 96(8):1170-8. Aug 2016. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20150166. Epub Feb 18 2016.