Evidence map›Paper›PMID 24984069›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2014

The effectiveness of Pilates exercise in people with chronic low back pain: a systematic review.

Cherie Wells, Gregory S Kolt, Paul Marshall, Bridget Hill, Andrea Bialocerkowski

Registry-linked trialAbstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07543952 (Comparison of Reformer Pilates Exercises and Conventional Physiotherapy on Pain, Disability and Quality of Life in Individuals With Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain), which is not on this map. Cited by 28 papers, 10 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
28citing papers in PubMed, 10 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT07543952 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Comparison of Reformer Pilates Exercises and Conventional Physiotherapy on Pain, Disability and Quality of Life in Individuals With Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorUskudar UniversityRan2026 to 2026Enrolled42ConditionsLow Back PainArmsreformer Pilates exercises, conventional physiotherapy group
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

28 citing papers in PubMed, 10 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  8. Pilates for low back pain.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2015
    Pooled it
  9. Pooled it
  10. Pooled it
  11. Trial
  12. Review
  13. Article
  14. Article
  15. Article
  16. Effect of pilates on regulating menstrual cycle in females with polycystic ovarian syndrome.European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology: X · 2024
    Article
  17. Article
  18. Article
  19. Article
  20. Comparison of Intervention Programs to Improve Trunk Stability for Active Females.International journal of sports physical therapy · 2023
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Cherie WellsFaculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia.
Gregory S KoltSchool of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia.
Paul MarshallSchool of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia.
Bridget HillEpworth HealthCare, Richmond, Victoria, Australia.
Andrea BialocerkowskiGriffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of Pilates exercise in people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) through a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). DATA SOURCES: A search for RCTs was undertaken using Medical Search Terms and synonyms for "Pilates" and "low back pain" within the maximal date range of 10 databases. Databases included the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature; Cochrane Library; Medline; Physiotherapy Evidence Database; ProQuest: Health and Medical Complete, Nursing and Allied Health Source, Dissertation and Theses; Scopus; Sport Discus; Web of Science. STUDY SELECTION: Two independent reviewers were involved in the selection of evidence. To be included, relevant RCTs needed to be published in the English language. From 152 studies, 14 RCTs were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Two independent reviewers appraised the methodological quality of RCTs using the McMaster Critical Review Form for Quantitative Studies. The author(s), year of publication, and details regarding participants, Pilates exercise, comparison treatments, and outcome measures, and findings, were then extracted. DATA SYNTHESIS: The methodological quality of RCTs ranged from "poor" to "excellent". A meta-analysis of RCTs was not undertaken due to the heterogeneity of RCTs. Pilates exercise provided statistically significant improvements in pain and functional ability compared to usual care and physical activity between 4 and 15 weeks, but not at 24 weeks. There were no consistent statistically significant differences in improvements in pain and functional ability with Pilates exercise, massage therapy, or other forms of exercise at any time period.

conclusionsPilates exercise offers greater improvements in pain and functional ability compared to usual care and physical activity in the short term. Pilates exercise offers equivalent improvements to massage therapy and other forms of exercise. Future research should explore optimal Pilates exercise designs, and whether some people with CLBP may benefit from Pilates exercise more than others.

Indexed as

Exercise Movement TechniquesChronic PainExercise TherapyHumansLow Back PainOutcome Assessment, Health CareRandomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Identifiers

PMID24984069
PMCPMC4077575

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.