Effects of Pilates-based exercises on activity of tranversus abdominus muscle in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain: a pilot study

Abstract

The Pilates-based treatment approach involved a series of functional and progressive resistance exercises designed to dynamically stabilize the spine, pelvis, and hip through all planes of motion. These lumbar spinal stabilization techniques are known to facilitate the level of activity in the transversus abdominus (TA) muscle. In this prospective pilot study, the effect of Pilates exercises (PE) on m. TA in females with non - specific chronic low back pain (CLBP) was investigated. Eleven female subjects with CLBP was performed PE for an hour per day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. The m. TA was investigated using pressure cuff. The spinal movement was detected by this pressure transducer under the lumbar spine. According to the pressure cuff data the activity of m. TA increased significantly (p<0.05) versus to the baseline value by PE training (Wilcoxon signed rank test). In this study, PE increased the activity of the deep trunk muscle, m. TA, which is often target of exercise interventions for the treatment of CLBP. By strengthening this core stabilizing muscles around the pelvis and spine, it is hoped that one can optimize the body for the challenges it may face. However, further study might involve larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up results.

Key words:

chronic low back pain, exercises, therapy