• M C Valenza, J Rodríguez-Torres, I Cabrera-Martos, A Díaz-Pelegrina, M E Aguilar-Ferrándiz, and Y Castellote-Caballero.
• Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, Spain.
• Clin Rehabil. 2017 Jun 1; 31 (6): 753-760.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of a Pilates exercise program on disability, pain, lumbar mobility, flexibility and balance in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.DesignRandomized controlled trial.SettingUniversity laboratory.ParticipantsA total of 54 patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.InterventionPatients were randomly allocated to an experimental group ( n=27) included in a Pilates exercise program or to a control group ( n=27) receiving information in a form of a leaflet.Main Outcome MeasuresDisability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and Oswestry Disability Index), current, average and pain at it least and at its worst (Visual Analogue Scales), lumbar mobility (modified Shober test), flexibility (finger-to-floor test) and balance (single limb stance test) were measured at baseline and after the intervention.ResultsA between-group analysis showed significant differences in the intervention group compared to the control group for both disability scores, the Rolland-Morris questionnaire (mean change±standard deviation of 5.31±3.37 and 2.40±6.78 respectively and between-groups mean difference of 3.2 ± 4.12, p=0.003) and the Oswestry Disability Index ( p<0.001), current pain ( p=0.002) and pain at it least ( p=0.033), flexibility (0.032) and balance (0.043).ConclusionsAn 8-week Pilates exercise program is effective in improving disability, pain, flexibility and balance in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.

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