Pilates as an Adjuvant Therapy in Parkinson Disease.

Pilates as an Adjuvant Physical Exercise Therapy in Patients With Parkinson Disease.

Although Pilates has been proposed as a useful rehabilitation strategy in PD, research on its feasibility and potential effects on the motor symptoms and balance with this population is scarce. Some works have included Pilates as part of combined exercise session interventions, but information concerning their specific effects was not provided. Under these circumstances, this study aims at identifying the effects of adding Pilates as part of a conventional exercise rehabilitation program on the motor symptoms and static balance of PD persons. Participants (n=15) were assigned to a Pilates (PG) or to a conventional exercise group (CG) and performed one land-based and one water-based exercise session per week for 14 weeks. The MDS-UPDRS and a stabilometer were used to assess the impact of the intervention on the participant´s motor symptoms and static balance.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Stages 1 through 3 on the Hoehn and Yahr Staging Scale;
• Stable reaction to anti-Parkinson medication;
• Not having taken part in any physical exercise program during the month prior to the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• People with PD who were not able to ambulate independently or presented any comorbidities other than PD or any acute illness that would make training inappropriate.