Pilates exercises improve low back pain and quality of life in patients with HTLV-1 virus: A randomized crossover clinical trial

SummaryBackgroundLow back pain is highly prevalent in patients with HTLV-1. The effects of physical activity on this condition are not known, but postural misalignment and motor deficits are frequently present.ObjectivesTo assess the effect of Pilates exercises on chronic low back pain in these patients, and its impact on quality of life.MethodsA randomized crossover clinical trial was conducted, involving 22 patients from a reference center in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The VAS was used to evaluate the effect of Pilates on pain intensity and the SF-36 to assess its impact on quality of life.ResultsOur results provide evidence of positive effects on pain intensity and almost all domains of quality of life when patients followed the Pilates exercise program described.ConclusionThe Pilates method may be a useful tool in alleviating the symptoms of low back pain, and had a significant impact on quality of life in this sample of patients.