Effectiveness of Pilates exercise for chronic low back pain.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The addition of modified mat-based Pilates exercise to advice, education and lumbar mobility exercise, on outcomes of pain intensity and disability, in adults with chronic non-specific low back pain.
IRAS ID
184960
Contact name
Rachel Cook
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Salford
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 12 days
Research summary
Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) is a common musculoskeletal condition which presents to NHS physiotherapy. CNSLBP describes low back pain of over three months duration, without any specific structural or pathological cause.
Exercise is recommended for CNSLBP; many exercise forms exist, however, it is unclear from the literature which method of exercise is superior. An understanding of the effectiveness of different exercise forms will help to inform physiotherapy practice.
This research aims to determine the effectiveness of modified Pilates exercise, a form of core strengthening exercise, in the management of CNSLBP. A randomised controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to determine whether the addition of a six-week Pilates group exercise programme, to the provision of standard low back pain advice, education and lumbar mobility exercise, improves primary outcomes of pain intensity and disability, in adults with CNSLBP.
This research will be conducted in a NHS community physiotherapy clinic, with a sample of 40 patients referred by their General Practioner, during the usual waiting times for physiotherapy. Patients with CNSLBP be invited to participate in this research after their intial physiotherapy telephone screening appointment.
Consenting participants will be randomised into two groups: a Usual Care Group consisting of advice, education and home mobility exercise; or a Pilates Group, to participate in an additional weekly group session of modified Pilates exercise, performed over six weeks.
Participants will be required to complete questionnaires about their pain and functional limitations, both before and after the six-week period, and also to complete an exercise log of their home exercises during this period.
The number of individual physiotherapy treatment sessions required in the subsequent eight-week period will also be measured, as a secondary outcome, to assist in determining the cost-effectiveness of including group modified Pilates to the physiotherapy management for CNSLBP.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0576
Date of REC Opinion
16 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion