Effectiveness of Pilates exercise on low back pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis

AbstractPurpose Low back pain is the most frequently reported musculoskeletal disorder and represents one of the highest patient burdens in healthcare. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Pilates exercise on pain intensity and functional disability caused by low back pain (LBP).Materials and methods A Systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted. Data sources: MEDLINE-NLM and MEDLINE-EBSCO. We also searched on Scopus Elsevier, Cochrane, DOAJ, SciELO, PEDro, and PLOS ONE databases. Eligibility criteria: randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating LBP in which the primary treatment was based on Pilates exercise compared with no exercise, or non-specific exercise.Results The search returned 1566 records of which 36 articles were included in the systematic review and 19 in the meta-analysis. Twenty-two studies compared the effects of Pilates exercise vs no exercise and 13 studies examined the effects of Pilates exercise vs non-specific exercise. Analysis showed that Pilates had a positive effect on the perception of LBP vs no exercise. A similar trend occurred with non-specific exercise.Conclusions Pilates exercise can decrease LBP compared to no exercise and non-specific exercise. General practitioners should consider Pilates exercise as an effective strategy to manage LBP and counteract the growing health.Trial Registration PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022308387.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONPilates is a good strategy for improving low back pain and is more effective than other exercise programs or no exercise.Pilates is a safe tool to apply to most of the population with low back pain.Pilates is a non-pharmacological strategy useful for counteracting low back pain.Keywords: Pilates exercisepilates methodlow back painbody posturephysical exercisehealth promotionsystematic reviewmeta-analysis Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Data availability statementThe datasets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.Additional informationFundingThe publication was made with the co-financing of the European Union - FESR o FSE, PON Research and Innovation 2014-2020 - DM 1062/2021.