Pilates method in the treatment of patients with Chikungunya fever: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Pilates method on the reduction of pain, improvement of joint function, and quality of life of patients with chronic Chikungunya fever. Design: This is a randomized, controlled, blind trial for the evaluators. Setting: The study was conducted at the Advanced Laboratory in Physical Education and Health at Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil. Subjects: A total of 51 patients were allocated randomly and divided into 2 groups: a Pilates group (26 patients) and a control group (25 patients). After 12 weeks, 4 patients in the Pilates group and 5 in the control group were lost to follow-up. Intervention: The Pilates group performed 24 Pilates method intervention sessions; the control group continued to receive standard clinical treatment at the outpatient clinic. Main measures: The main measures were as follows: visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, functional capacity evaluated by Health Assessment Questionaire (HAQ), quality of life measured by the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), and range of joint motion by goniometry. Results: After 12 weeks, patients in the Pilates group presented lower VAS ( P < 0.001), lower HAQ scores ( P < 0.001), and higher quality-of-life scores ( P < 0.001) compared with the control group. We found statistically significant results for the Pilates group in the range of movement for shoulder, knee, ankle, and lumbar spine ( P < 0.001). In the intragroup analysis, there was a significant improvement in all outcomes evaluated. Conclusion: In this study, patients undertaking Pilates method for 12 weeks had less pain, better function and quality of life, and increased range of joint movement.

Effects of Pilates Training on Physiological and Psychological Health Parameters in Healthy Older Adults and in Older Adults With Clinical Conditions Over 55 Years: A Meta-Analytical Review

“…Thirty-one trials only included women, whereas one study only included men ( 69 ). One third of the studies included participants with a clinical condition ( n = 18), which were declared as follows: risk of falling ( 55 ), women with chronic low back pain ( 61 , 62 , 97 ), participants with Chikungunya Fever ( 65 ), men with post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence ( 69 ), participants with impaired balance ( 73 ), total knee arthroplasty ( 74 ), women with Osteoporosis ( 75 , 85 ), post-stroke patients ( 76 , 77 , 90 ), women with Type II Diabetes ( 81 ), individuals with Parkinson's Stage 1–3 ( 83 ), knee osteoarthritis in women ( 99 ), and women with breast cancer ( 84 , 100 ).…”

“…ICs either instructed participants to stay with their normal activity level ( 51 , 52 , 56 , 57 , 59 , 60 , 66 , 67 , 71 , 78 , 82 , 85 , 87 , 89 , 93 , 96 , 101 ), to not exercise or train ( 53 , 68 , 69 , 72 , 76 , 79 , 90 – 92 , 94 , 95 , 99 ), to take part at a monthly meeting for communication ( 63 , 64 ), to attend educational workshops ( 97 , 100 ), or to take part in standard clinical care ( 65 ). The ACs' intervention approaches included an unspecific activity program ( 54 , 97 ), home exercises (for balance and strength) ( 55 , 75 ), a static stretching program ( 58 , 86 , 88 ), a muscular strength training ( 59 ), a resistance training ( 60 ), physiotherapy ( 61 , 62 ), a Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Training ( 82 , 94 ), a traditional balance training ( 66 ), pelvic floor muscle training with anal electrical stimulation ( 69 ), unstable support surface exercises ( 70 ), walking ( 72 ), traditional exercising ( 73 ), suspension training with TRX ( 99 ), general physical activity program ( 98 ), clinical rehabilitation ( 74 , 77 ), Huber Training ( 80 ), aerobic exercises ( 83 ), Yo...…”

“…Besides individual exercise adaptations, three CC trials adopted training adjustments for clinical suitability ( 77 , 84 , 100 ). The intensity of CC studies was described as light-to-moderate ( 65 ), moderate ( 81 ), 7 on a modified Borg Scale ( 83 ), 12–14 on the Borg Perceived Exertion Scale ( 73 ), and 45–60% of the heart rate reserve ( 84 ). Repetitions were usually kept under 15 ( 65 , 69 , 73 , 77 , 81 , 83 ) and the number of sets varied between one and three ( 77 , 81 , 83 ).…”

“…ICs either instructed participants to stay with their normal activity level (51,52,56,57,59,60,66,67,71,78,82,85,87,89,93,96,101), to not exercise or train (53, 68, 69, 72, 76, 79, 90-92, 94, 95, 99), to take part at a monthly meeting for communication (63,64), to attend educational workshops (97,100), or to take part in standard clinical care (65). The ACs' intervention approaches included an unspecific activity program (54,97), home exercises (for balance and strength) (55,75), a static stretching program (58,86,88) One study did not report the duration of the Pilates sessions (74).…”

Newer rehabilitation therapies: strategies in chikungunya chronic arthralgia

“…9,10 Moreover, two recent trials suggest novel approaches of rehabilitation therapies with transcranial direct current stimulation and pilates to reduce pain and improve functionality. 4,11 The long-term burden of persistent arthralgia negatively impacts the public health system, economically active people and quality of life. 10…”