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Effectiveness of Conventional Kinesiotherapy and Pilates in Reducing Disability among Patients with Chronic
Shruti Mahajan1, Khushwant Singh Rathore2, Raghvendra Choubey3
1Department of Physiotherapy, National Institute of Medical Science and Research, NIMS University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Introduction:
Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) is a major contributor to disability worldwide. Exercise-based rehabilitation is widely recommended, yet the most effective combination of therapeutic approaches remains unclear. This study evaluated the effectiveness of conventional kinesiotherapy alone versus conventional kinesiotherapy combined with Pilates in reducing disability and pain among individuals with CNSLBP.
Materials And Methods:
A randomized, assessor-blinded, parallel-group trial was conducted at Bundelkhand Medical College, Sagar, India. Using consecutive sampling, 300 adults aged 20-60 years with CNSLBP ≥12 weeks were enrolled. Participants were randomly allocated (1:1) to the control group (conventional kinesiotherapy) or the intervention group (kinesiotherapy + Pilates) using computer-generated block randomization with stratification by baseline Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) severity. Allocation concealment was maintained using sequentially numbered opaque sealed envelopes. Both groups underwent 24 supervised sessions over 8 weeks. Disability (RMDQ) and pain intensity (Visual Analog scale [VAS]) were assessed at baseline and at 8 weeks. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests for within-group changes and independent t-tests for between-group comparisons, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05.
Results:
Both groups showed significant within-group improvements in pain and disability after 8 weeks (P < 0.001). However, between-group analyses demonstrated significantly greater reductions in post-treatment VAS and RMDQ scores in the combined intervention group compared to the kinesiotherapy-only group (P < 0.001). Mean post-treatment VAS scores were 2.84 ± 1.02 in the combined group versus 4.13 ± 1.10 in the control group, and mean RMDQ scores were 7.84 ± 3.12 versus 10.91 ± 3.25, respectively.
Conclusion:
Integrating Pilates with conventional kinesiotherapy resulted in significantly greater improvements in pain and disability compared to kinesiotherapy alone. This combined approach may offer a more effective rehabilitation strategy for managing CNSLBP.