The effectiveness of the therapeutic exercise Clinical Pilates in adult patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review

Eleni Matsouki; Georgios Marios Kyriakatis

doi:10.18203/2349-3259.ijct20241618

Authors

Eleni Matsouki Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Rion, Achaia, Greece
Georgios Marios Kyriakatis Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 3rd km Old National Road Lamia-Athens, Lamia, Greece https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7489-1964

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3259.ijct20241618

Keywords:

Multiple sclerosis, Pilates, Mat pilates, Exercise method, Physiotherapy

Abstract

Existing literature supports various forms of exercise as appropriate for treating people with multiple sclerosis (MS) with mild or more severe symptoms. In recent years, Pilates is a form of therapeutic exercise used more and more often in rehabilitating people with MS. The purpose of this systematic review is to explore the effectiveness of the clinical Pilates method in adult people with MS. Research was performed in 4 scientific databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, PEDro and Scopus) using the following keywords: multiple sclerosis, MS, Pilates and Clinical Pilates. Inclusion criteria were studies randomized controlled, written in English, published in 2012-2022, with adult people with MS and where the intervention should have been only the Pilates method and the results had to be relevant to physiotherapy. The methodological quality of the studies included was assessed by PEDro Scale. From a total of 329 initial records, only 12 studies were included. Results show that Pilates can improve balance, gait, functionality, physical and cognitive capacity, quality of life and body composition in adult people with MS and with mild to moderate disability. Fatigue, anxiety and depression levels did not show clear improvement after the application of the Pilates exercises in comparison with other therapeutic exercises. Pilates is a safe method of exercise for adult people with MS and can improve many symptoms. It is necessary more research to be conducted so that the effectiveness of the Pilates exercises be explored further on different parameters in patients with MS, like fatigue.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Thompson AJ, Baranzini SE, Geurts J, Hemmer B, Ciccarelli O. Multiple sclerosis. Lancet. 2018;391(10130):1622-36.

World Health Organization. Atlas: Multiple Sclerosis Resources in the World 2008, 2008. Available at https://www.who.int/publications/i/ item/9789241563758. Accessed on 12 December 2022.

Halabchi F, Alizadeh Z, Sahraian MA, Abolhasani M. Exercise prescription for patients with multiple sclerosis; potential benefits and practical recommendations. BMC Neurol. 2017;17(1):185.

Feinstein A, Amato MP, Brichetto G, Chataway J, Chiaravalloti N, Dalgas U, et al. Study protocol: improving cognition in people with progressive multiple sclerosis: a multi-arm, randomized, blinded, sham-controlled trial of cognitive rehabilitation and aerobic exercise (COGEx). BMC Neurol. 2020;20(1):204.

Ghahfarrokhi MM, Banitalebi E, Negaresh R, Motl RW. Home-Based Exercise Training in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review with Implications for Future Research. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2021;55:103177.

Kyriakatis GM, Lykou PM, Dimitriadis Z, Besios T. Efficacy of remote exercise and physiotherapy programs on depressive symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis - A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2023;79:105067.

Swank C, Thompson M, Medley A. Aerobic exercise in people with multiple sclerosis: its feasibility and secondary benefits. Int J MS Care. 2013;15(3):138-45.

Orban A, Garg B, Sammi MK, Bourdette DN, Rooney WD, Kuehl K, et al. Effect of High-Intensity Exercise on Multiple Sclerosis Function and Phosphorous Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Outcomes. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2019;51(7):1380-6.

Tollár J, Nagy F, Tóth BE, Török K, Szita K, Csutorás B, et al. Exercise Effects on Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life and Clinical-Motor Symptoms. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2020;52(5):1007-14.

van der Linden ML, Bulley C, Geneen LJ, Hooper JE, Cowan P, et al. Pilates for people with multiple sclerosis who use a wheelchair: feasibility, efficacy and participant experiences. Disabil Rehabil. 2014;36(11):932-9.

Fleming KM, Coote SB, Herring MP. Home-based Pilates for symptoms of anxiety, depression and fatigue among persons with multiple sclerosis: An 8-week randomized controlled trial. Mult Scler. 2021;27(14):2267-79.

Kloubec J. Pilates: how does it work and who needs it? Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2011;1(2):61-6.

Pilates JH, Miller W. Return to life through contrology. JJ Augustin, New York. 1945.

Alvarenga-Filho H, Sacramento PM, Ferreira TB, Hygino J, Abreu JEC, Carvalho SR, et al. Combined exercise training reduces fatigue and modulates the cytokine profile of T-cells from multiple sclerosis patients in response to neuromediators. J Neuroimmunol. 2016;293:91-9.

Banitalebi E, Ghahfarrokhi MM, Negaresh R, Kazemi A, Faramarzi M, Motl RW, et al. Exercise improves neurotrophins in multiple sclerosis independent of disability status. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2020;43:102143.

Faramarzi M, Banitalebi E, Raisi Z, Samieyan M, Saberi Z, Mardaniyan Ghahfarrokhi M, et al. Effect of combined exercise training on pentraxins and pro- inflammatory cytokines in people with multiple sclerosis as a function of disability status. Cytokine. 2020;134:155196.

Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021;372:71.

Maher CG, Sherrington C, Herbert RD, Moseley AM, Elkins M. Reliability of the PEDro scale for rating quality of randomized controlled trials. Phys Ther. 2003;83(8):713-21.

Cashin AG, McAuley JH. Clinimetrics: Physiotherapy Evidence Database PEDro Scale. J Physiother. 2020;66(1):59.

Hosseini Sisi SZ, Sadeghi H, Massood Nabavi S. The effects of 8 weeks of rebound therapy and Pilates practices on static and dynamic balances in males with multiple sclerosis. Adv Environ Biol. 2014;7:4290-3.

Gheitasi M, Bayattork M, Andersen LL, Imani S, Daneshfar A. Effect of twelve weeks pilates training on functional balance of male patients with multiple sclerosis: Randomized controlled trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021;25:41-5.

Eftekhari E, Etemadifar M. Impact of Clinical Mat Pilates on Body Composition and Functional Indices in Female Patients With Multiple Sclerosis. Crescent J Med Biol Sci. 2018.

Fox EE, Hough AD, Creanor S, Gear M, Freeman JA. Effects of Pilates-Based Core Stability Training in Ambulant People With Multiple Sclerosis: Multicenter, Assessor-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial. Phys Ther. 2016;96(8):1170-8.

Kalron A, Rosenblum U, Frid L, Achiron A. Pilates exercise training vs. physical therapy for improving walking and balance in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2017;31(3):319-28.

Abasıyanık Z, Ertekin Ö, Kahraman T, Yigit P, Özakbaş S. The effects of Clinical Pilates training on walking, balance, fall risk, respiratory, and cognitive functions in persons with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial. Explore (NY) . 2020;16(1):12-20.

Guclu-Gunduz A, Citaker S, Irkec C, Nazliel B, Batur-Caglayan HZ. The effects of pilates on balance, mobility and strength in patients with multiple sclerosis. Neuro Rehabilitation. 2014;34(2):337-42.

Fleming KM, Coote SB, Herring MP. The feasibility of Pilates to improve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and fatigue among people with Multiple Sclerosis: An eight-week randomized controlled pilot trial. Psychol Sport Exerc. 2019;45.

Küçük F, Kara B, Poyraz EÇ, İdiman E. Improvements in cognition, quality of life, and physical performance with clinical Pilates in multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016;28(3):761-8.

Güngör F, Tarakci E, Özdemir-Acar Z, Soysal A. The effects of supervised versus home Pilates-based core stability training on lower extremity muscle strength and postural sway in people with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2022;28(2):269-79.

Bulguroglu I, Guclu-Gunduz A, Yazici G, Ozkul C, Irkec C, Nazliel B, et al. The effects of Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates in patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A randomized controlled study. Neuro Rehabilitation. 2017;41(2):413-22.

Sánchez-Lastra MA, Martínez-Aldao D, Molina AJ, Ayán C. Pilates for people with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019;28:199-212.

Marandi SM, Nejad VS, Shanazari Z, Zolaktaf V. A comparison of 12 weeks of pilates and aquatic training on the dynamic balance of women with mulitple sclerosis. Int J Prev Med. 2013;4(Suppl 1):S110-7.

Duff WRD, Andrushko JW, Renshaw DW, Chilibeck PD, Farthing JP, Danielson J, et al. Impact of Pilates Exercise in Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J MS Care. 2018;20(2):92-100.

Natour J, Cazotti Lde A, Ribeiro LH, Baptista AS, Jones A. Pilates improves pain, function and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2015;29(1):59-68.

Arik MI, Kiloatar H, Saracoglu I. Do Pilates exercises improve balance in patients with multiple sclerosis? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2022;57:103410.

Byrnes K, Wu PJ, Whillier S. Is Pilates an effective rehabilitation tool? A systematic review. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2018;22(1):192-202.

Raats J, Lamers I, Merken I, Boeckmans J, Soler B, Normann B, et al. The content and effects of trunk rehabilitation on trunk and upper limb performance in people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2022;58(1):26-32.

Marques KAP, Trindade CBB, Almeida MCV, Bento-Torres NVO. Pilates for rehabilitation in patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review of effects on cognition, health-related physical fitness, general symptoms and quality of life. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2020;24(2):26-36.

Kyriakatis GM, Besios T, Lykou PM. The effect of therapeutic exercise on depressive symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis - A systematic review. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2022;68:104407.