Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates in Women With Non-Specific Low Back Pain

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates on Pain, Functional Disability and Quality Of Life in Women With Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Study

In this study, the effects of instrumental pilates, mat pilates and general posture exercises on pain, disability, quality of life, flexibility and endurance of trunk extension muscles were researched in women with non-specific low back pain. The aim of this study was to examine the superiority of exercises over each other.

The participants were divided into three groups as reformer pilates group, mat pilates group and control group. Patients were allocated to the groups according to order of arrival starting from the reformer pilates group using a simple basic randomization method. All assessments were performed face to face by the physiotherapist. Exercise follow-up was performed individually. Pain intensity, level of disability, flexibility values, quality of life, and trunk extension endurance times were evaluated before and after treatment. Reformer, mat pilates, and general posture exercise training were performed twice a weekly for 12 weeks. In evaluation, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used for pain intensity, Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire for disability, Short Form - 36 Questionnaire (SF-36) for quality of life, Sit-lie test for flexibility, McGill extension test for trunk extension endurance. Demographic information of individuals was recorded.

Inclusion Criteria:

• being a woman between the ages of 18 and 50
• having a diagnosis of NLBP
• not having any obstacles to exercise.

Exclusion Criteria:

• To be pregnant, history of previous spine surgery, rheumatic diseases that may cause low back pain, severe spinal pathologies (tumor, fracture, etc.).
• having received physiotherapy for spine health in the last 6 months and receiving any analgesic or anti-inflammatory medical treatment