383: PILATES REDUCES PAIN AND IMPROVES FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN INDIVIDUALS WITH RHEUMATIC CONDITIONS

Topic: Clinical Science
Subtopic: Pain category (ICD-11), Chronic primary musculoskeletal pain, Non-pharmacological treatments, Physiotherapy (e.g. exercise, rehab)

Background and Aims: Rheumatic conditions are a group of diseases that can cause inflammation, changes in the joints, and pain in surrounding structures, and the Pilates method has been used as a tool in the rehabilitation of these patients.The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Pilates method in individuals with rheumatic conditions.

Methods: A systematic review conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Searches were performed in PUBMED/Medline, CENTRAL, PEDro, Embase, and CINAHL databases up to August 2024. Only randomized controlled trials investigating the Pilates method compared to other types of exercise, conventional physiotherapy, minimal intervention, or no intervention in individuals with rheumatic conditions were included. The outcomes assessed were pain and quality of life. Risk of bias was assessed using the PEDro scale, and certainty of evidence using GRADE criteria. For each outcome, intervention effects were estimated using random-effects meta-analyses for continuous variables, using standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: Twenty-two studies (n=909) were included, of which 59% showed good methodological quality. Pilates reduced pain and improved functional capacity compared to active therapies (pain: 6 studies, n=303, SMD -0.85; 95% CI -1.61 to -0.10; functional capacity: 10 studies, n=413, SMD -0.70; 95% CI -1.12 to -0.28) and to no intervention (pain: 4 studies, n=138, SMD -1.12; 95% CI -1.67 to -0.58; functional capacity: 8 studies, n=128, SMD -0.60; 95% CI -1.10 to -0.09).

Conclusions: The Pilates method may reduce pain and improve functional capacity in individuals with rheumatic conditions when compared to other active interventions and to no intervention.

References: 1. American College of Rheumatology. Managing your rheumatic disease. Accessed April 6, 2024. https://rheumatology.org/managing-your-rheumatic-disease
2. Yamato TP, Maher CG, Saragiotto BT, et al. Pilates for low back pain. Cochrane Back and Neck Group, ed. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015;2015(7). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010265.pub2
3. Pécourneau V, Degboé Y, Barnetche T, Cantagrel A, Constantin A, Ruyssen-Witrand A. Effectiveness of Exercise Programs in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2018;99(2):383-389.e1. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2017.07.015
4. Somaiya KJ, Samal S, Boob MA. Physiotherapeutic Intervention Techniques for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review. Cureus. Published online March 24, 2024. doi:10.7759/cureus.56817

Presenting Author: Liane Macedo
Submitting Author: Liane Macedo

Senior Author: Liane Macedo

IASP 2026 Global Year theme of Neuropathic Pain: Yes

• Liane Macedo: PhD - UFRN
• Rebeca Nunes: MD - UFRN
• Laianny Neves: PT - UFRN
• Vinícius Dantas: MD - UFRN
• Anita Amorim: PhD - University of Sydney