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Effects of a tailored mat-Pilates exercise program for older adults on pain, functioning, and balance in women with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

Background

Mat-Pilates exercise is effective for chronic non-specific low back pain (NSLBP), but its application in older women is understudied.

Aim

To examine the effects of a 10-week mat-Pilates program on pain, disability, and balance in older women with chronic NSLBP.

Methods

Sixty-three women (≥ 65 years) with chronic NSLBP were randomly assigned to intervention (IG) or control (CG) groups. IG received individualized mat-Pilates sessions (45 min, twice weekly), while CG followed a home-based general exercise program. Primary outcomes included visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), timed up-and-go (TUG), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) at baseline, 10 weeks, and 6 months post-intervention. Repeated measures multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used, adjusted for exercise adherence and analgesic use.

Results

IG significantly improved in VAS and RMDQ scores at 10 weeks and 6 months (p > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in TUG and BBS scores at any measurement point. No between-group differences were found in analgesic use or adherence to exercise during the 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions

A 10-week mat-Pilates program reduced pain and improved disability in older women with chronic NSLBP, effects which persisted at 6 months. However, no impact on balance, analgesic use, or exercise adherence was observed.

Trial registration number/date of registration

NCT04752579/February 12, 2021.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thermi, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Dimitrios Lytras & Evaggelos Sykaras

  2. Laboratory of Biomechanics and Ergonomics, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University - Alexander Campus, Sindos, P.O. Box 141, 57 400, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Dimitrios Lytras, Paris Iakovidis, Anastasios Kottaras, Konstantinos Kasimis & Aristeidis Barouxakis

  3. Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Ioannis Myrogiannis

  4. Biomedical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, UK

    Georgia Tarfali

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Lytras, D., Iakovidis, P., Sykaras, E. et al. Effects of a tailored mat-Pilates exercise program for older adults on pain, functioning, and balance in women with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Aging Clin Exp Res 35, 3059–3071 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-023-02604-7

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