Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of Pilates exercises on idiopathic scoliosis: a scoping review of the literature

  • Review article
  • Published:
Spine Deformity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

 Scoliosis is a deformity involving changes in three planes. These changes include lateral curvature in the frontal plane, changes in physiological thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angles in the sagittal plane, and rotation of the vertebrae in the transverse plane. The aim of this scoping review was to review and summarize the available literature to determine whether Pilates exercises are an effective treatment for scoliosis.

Methods

The Cochrane Library (reviews, protocols, trials), PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, Scopus, PEDro, Medline, CINAHL (EBSCO), ProQuest, and Google Scholar electronic databases were used to search for published articles from inception to February 2022. All the searches included English language studies. Keywords were determined as “scoliosis and Pilates” or “idiopathic scoliosis and Pilates”, “curve and Pilates”, “spinal deformity and Pilates.”

Results

 Seven studies were included; one study was a meta-analysis study, three studies compared Pilates and Schroth exercises, and three applied Pilates exercises in combined therapy. The studies included in this review used outcome measurements of Cobb angle, ATR, chest expansion, SRS-22r, posture assessment, weight distribution, and psychological factors such as depression.

Conclusions

The results of this review suggest that the level of evidence regarding the effect of Pilates exercises on scoliosis-related deformity is very limited. Pilates exercises can be applied to reduce asymmetrical posture in individuals with mild scoliosis with reduced growth potential and progression risk.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of data and material

The data that support the findings of this study are available upon request from the authors.

Code availability

Not applicable.

References

  1. Chik SKT (2020) Classification and terminology. In: Moramarco M, Borysov M, Ng SY, Weiss HR (eds) Schroth’s textbook of scoliosis and other spinal deformities. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Newcastle upon Tyne, pp 150–158

    Google Scholar 

  2. Sarwark JF, Castelein RM, Maqsood A, Aubin CE (2019) The Biomechanics of induction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: theoretical factors. J Bone Jt Surg Am. 101(6):e22. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.18.00846

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Weiss HR, Dallmayer R, Gallo D (2006) Sagittal counter forces (SCF) in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis: a preliminary report. Pediatr Rehabil 9(1):24–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/13638490500038126

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Weiss HR, Klein R (2006) Improving excellence in scoliosis rehabilitation: a controlled study of matched pairs. Pediatr Rehabil 9(3):190–200. https://doi.org/10.1080/13638490500079583

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Weiss HR, Lehnert Schroth C, Moramarco M (2015) Schroth therapy. Lambert Academic Publishing, Deutschland

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bettany-Saltikov J, Turnbull D, Ng SY (2020) Management and evidence. In: Moramarco M, Borysov M, Ng SY, Weiss HR (eds) Schroth’s textbook of scoliosis and other spinal deformities. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Newcastle upon Tyne, pp 225–269

    Google Scholar 

  7. Lonstein JE, Carlson JM (1984) The prediction of curve progression in untreated idiopathic scoliosis during growth. J Bone Jt Surg Am 66(7):1061–1071

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Weiss HR, Negrini S, Rigo M, Kotwicki T, Hawes MC, Grivas TB, Maruyama T, Landauer F (2008) Indications for conservative management of scoliosis (SOSORT guidelines). Stud Health Technol Inform 135:164–170

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. SOSORT guideline committee, Weiss HR, Negrini S, Rigo M, Kotwicki T, Hawes MC, Grivas TB, Maruyama T, Landauer F (2006) Indications for conservative management of scoliosis (guidelines). Scoliosis 1:5. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-7161-1-5

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Negrini S, Aulisa AG, Aulisa L, Circo AB, De Mauroy JC, Durmala J, Grivas TB, Knott P, Kotwicki T, Maruyama T, Minozzi S (2012) 2011 SOSORT guidelines: orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth. Scoliosis 7(1):35. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-7161-7-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Cruz-Ferreira A, Fernandes J, Laranjo L, Bernardo LM, Silva A (2011) A systematic review of the effects of pilates method of exercise in healthy people. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 92(12):2071–2081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2011.06.018

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Joyce AA, Kotler DH (2017) Core training in low back disorders: role of the pilates method. Curr Sports Med Rep. 16(3):156–161. https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0000000000000365

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Wood S (2017) Pilates for rehabilitation. Human Kinetics, Champaign

    Google Scholar 

  14. Peters MD, Godfrey CM, Khalil H, McInerney P, Parker D, Soares CB (2015) Guidance for conducting systematic scoping reviews. Int J Evid Based Healthc 13(3):141–146. https://doi.org/10.1097/XEB.0000000000000050

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. OCEBM Levels of Evidence Working Group (2022) The Oxford 2011 levels of evidence. http://www.cebm.net/index.aspx?oZ5653. Accessed 10 Jan 2022

  16. Gou Y, Lei H, Zeng Y, Tao J, Kong W, Wu J (2021) The effect of Pilates exercise training for scoliosis on improving spinal deformity and quality of life: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicine (Baltimore) 100(39):e27254. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000027254

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Rrecaj-Malaj S, Beqaj S, Krasniqi V, Qorolli M, Tufekcievski A (2020) Outcome of 24 weeks of combined schroth and pilates exercises on cobb angle, angle of trunk rotation, chest expansion, flexibility and quality of life in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Med Sci Monit Basic Res. 26:e920449. https://doi.org/10.12659/MSMBR.920449

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Aly MI, Amin FS, Negm MA, Attyah A (2019) Diab M (2019) Effect of integrated exercise program on posture in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (case study). J Adv Pharm Edu Res 9(3):155–158

    Google Scholar 

  19. Rrecaj-Malaj S, Hykolli A, Lumi S, Murtezani A (2018) Quality of life in adolescent’s idiopathic scoliosis before and after physical therapy: a preliminary study. Sport Mont 16(2):69–72. https://doi.org/10.26773/smj.180612

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. HwangBo PN (2018) The effects of Pilates exercise using the three dimensional Schroth breathing technique on the physical factors of scoliosis patients. JKPT 30(6):229–234

    Google Scholar 

  21. HwangBo PN (2016) Psychological and physical effects of Schroth and Pilates exercise on female high school students with idiopathic scoliosis. JKPT 28(6):364–368

    Google Scholar 

  22. Kim G, HwangBo PN (2016) Effects of Schroth and Pilates exercises on the Cobb angle and weight distribution of patients with scoliosis. J Phys Ther Sci 28(3):1012–1015. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.28.1012

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. de Araujo MEA, da Silva EB, Mello DB, Cader SA, Salgado ASI, Dantas EHM (2012) The effectiveness of the Pilates method: reducing the degree of non-structural scoliosis, and improving flexibility and pain in female college students. J Bodyw Mov Ther 16:191–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. de Araujo MEA, da Silva EB, Vieira PC, Cader SA (2010) Reduction of the chronic pain associated to the scoliosis non structural, in university students submitted to the Pilates method. Motriz Rio Claro 16:958–966

    Google Scholar 

  25. Bipin Das UR (2018) Isolated and combined effect of selected pilates exercises and yogic practices on postural deformities among school boys. Dissertation, Alagappa Universitt

  26. Mehdi G, Mahnaz L, Zahra P, Maryam S, Nahid A (2019) Effect of eight-weeks corrective exercises Pilates on body dysmorphic metacognitive in female with non-structural scoliosis. J Rehab Med 8:221–230

    Google Scholar 

  27. Monticone M, Ambrosini E, Cazzaniga D et al (2016) Adults with idiopathic scoliosis improve disability after motor and cognitive rehabilitation: results of a randomized controlled trial. Eur Spine J 25:3120–3129

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Negrini S, Donzelli S, Aulisa AG et al (2018) (2018)2016 SOSORT guidelines: orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth. Scoliosis Spinal Disord 13:3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13013-017-0145-8

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. https://pedro.org.au/english/resources/pedro-scale/. Accessed 10 Jan 2022

  30. Kuru Çolak T (2020) Natural history of spinal deformities. In: Moramarco M, Borysov M, Ng SY, Weiss HR (eds) Schroth’s textbook of scoliosis and other spinal deformities. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Newcastle upon Tyne, pp 159–184

    Google Scholar 

  31. Agabegi SS, Kazemi N, Sturm PF, Mehlman CT (2015) Natural history of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in skeletally mature patients. JAAOS 23(12):714–723

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Weiss HR, Turnbull D (2020) Best Practice recommendations for the conservative treatment of patients with spinal deformities. In: Moramarco M, Borysov M, Ng SY, Weiss HR (eds) Schroth’s textbook of scoliosis and other spinal deformities. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Newcastle upon Tyne, pp 760–775

    Google Scholar 

  33. Dereli E, Gong S, Kuru ÇT, Turnbull D (2021) Guidelines for the conservative treatment of spinal deformities—Questionnaire for a Delphi consensus. S Afr J Physiotherapy 77(2):12. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v77i2.1587

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Berdishevsky H, Lebel VA, Bettany-Saltikov J, Rigo M, Lebel A, Hennes A, Romano M, Białek M, M’hango A, Betts T, de Mauroy JC (2016) Physiotherapy scoliosis-specific exercises—a comprehensive review of seven major schools. Scoliosis 11(1):1–52. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13013-016-0076-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marmara University, Başıbüyük Mahallesi, Başıbüyük Cd. No:9, Maltepe, 34854, Istanbul, Turkey

    Tuğba Kuru Çolak

  2. Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University, Bandırma, Turkey

    Burçin Akçay

  3. Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, İstanbul Kültür University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Adnan Apti

Authors
  1. Tuğba Kuru Çolak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Burçin Akçay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Adnan Apti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tuğba Kuru Çolak.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethics approval

This is a review study; therefore ethical approval was not sought.

Consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

All authors whose names appear on the submission. (1) made substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data; or the creation of new software used in the work; (2) drafted the work or revised it critically for important intellectual content; (3) approved the version to be published; and (4) agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOC 64 KB)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kuru Çolak, T., Akçay, B. & Apti, A. Effects of Pilates exercises on idiopathic scoliosis: a scoping review of the literature. Spine Deform 11, 797–804 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43390-023-00668-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43390-023-00668-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation