Background and purpose

Pilates is a popular exercise approach which is increasingly used in the management of LBP. However, to date the evidence base remains poor with a need to define the Pilates intervention and the outcome measures required for future high quality studies. The objective of this study was to explore the client's view of participating in Pilates classes: in particular the reasons for attendance and its effects.

Background and Purpose: Low back pain (LBP) has significant personal, health, social and economic costs, with 70–80% of adult experiencing it at some time. Research agrees that exercise is important in the management of LBP, but the specific and most effective form has yet to be decided 1. Pilates has become a popular form of core stabilization exercise and is increasingly being used as a therapeutic intervention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate individual perceptions of Pilates as a form of exercise, and report on perceived outcomes for low back pain.

Methods: Fifty individuals attending a 6 week body control Pilate’s class delivered by chartered physiotherapists were surveyed in the final week. A researcher designed questionnaire was developed and tested and the EQ5-D health questionnaire was used to determine the generic health status of the subjects.

Results: Forty five participations responded, 51% of these reported previous episodes of low back pain. Pilates was perceived to be a beneficial form of exercise compared to previous exercise classes p> 0.001 and a more effective method of managing recurrent low back pain than conventional physiotherapy p< 0.001. 92% reported a perceived reduction in stiffness and 65% reported perceived reduction in pain. Overall the subjects recorded a low level of illness.

Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that individuals with low back pain attend Pilates and perceive it as beneficial. Future randomized controlled trails to establish the effectiveness of Pilates as a means of treating low back pain are warranted.

Background and purpose: Lumbar traction is a common treatment for LBP with radiculopathy. Despite this, its benefits remain to be established. This paradox has significant economic and therapeutic consequences as 3–10% of patients with LBP in the UK have radiculopathy and over 40% of UK physiotherapists use this approach (Harte et al 2005). The purpose of this pragmatic randomised clinical trial was to assess the benefit of lumbar traction in addition to a manipulation package with these patients in a manner that reflects clinical practice.

Methods: 30 patients meeting the inclusion criteria for lumbosacral radiculopathy were recruited from the NHS and randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: Group 1 received manipulation, advice and exercises; Group 2 received traction, manipulation, advice and exercises. Outcome measures were recorded at baseline, completion of treatment and at 3 and 6 months post completion of treatment (MPQ, RMDQ, SF36, and the ALBPSQ). In addition VAS scores for back and leg pain and the percentage of overall improvement (patients perception) were recorded after each treatment.

Results: 30 patients were recruited over an 11-month period: 40% male, mean age 44 years, mean duration of current episode 7 weeks. Post treatment results (n = 27) showed a significant improvement in all outcomes for both groups (paired t-test, p > .01) but there was no significant difference demonstrated between groups (ANCOVA).

Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of a trial with this sub-group of LBP patients and a large multi-centred trial would need to be conducted to fully address this research question.