One Year of Pilates Training for Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Pilot Study

Objectives: This prospective long-term study examines the effects of a Pilates training intervention on spinal mobility, disease activity, and functional capacity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Design: The study design was quasi experimental and single blind. Subjects: 11 subjects were recruited among patients undergoing followup of AS diagnosed according to modified New York criteria at the rheumatology clinic. Interventions: Over a 12-month period, 11 patients completed a training program consisting of two sessions per week of selected Pilates exercises. There was no control group. Outcome measures: The primary outcome variable was functional capacity measured using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) questionnaire. Exploratory outcome measures were Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), and chest expansion and fingertip-to-floor (FTF) test. Baseline and follow-up examinations were performed immediately before the intervention and during the course of treatment at 4, 8, and 12 months. Results: After the exercise intervention, improvements were observed in BASFI (77.51%), BASDAI (64.39%) and BASMI (58.95%) scores, FTF distance (71.92%), and chest expansion (88.74%). Conclusions: These findings suggest that Pilates training could be useful in AS patients and provide direction for larger controlled trials designed to determine the therapeutic benefits of Pilates in the management of these patients.

Supervised training and home-based rehabilitation in patients with stabilized ankylosing spondylitis on TNF inhibitor treatment: a controlled clinical trial with a 12-month follow-up

OBJECTIVE

To assess the 12-month's follow-up effects on pain, mobility, and physical function outcomes of a supervised training and home-based rehabilitation for ankylosing spondylitis patients stabilized with TNF-inhibitor therapy.

DESIGN

Controlled clinical trial (sequentially determined allocation) with 12-months' follow-up.

SETTING

Patients' homes.

SUBJECTS

A total of 69 subjects were allocated to either a rehabilitation programme (rehabilitation group, n = 22), an educational-behavioural programme (educational group, n = 24), and to neither programme (control group, n = 23).

INTERVENTIONS

Rehabilitation programme included supervised training and home exercises (stretching, strengthening, aerobic, chest, and spine/hip joint flexibility exercises); educational-behavioural programme included information on ankylosing spondylitis, pain and stress mechanisms, and control.

MAIN MEASURES

Spinal pain intensity, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, chest expansion, and cervical and lumbar spine active range of motion measured by a pocket goniometer.

RESULTS

At baseline, the three groups exhibited comparable demographic characteristics and basal evaluations. Intra-group changes in the rehabilitation group from baseline to 12 months yielded statistically significant gains (p < 0.05) for all outcomes. At 12-months follow-up, compared with the control and educational-behavioural, the rehabilitation group exhibited significant differences in chest expansion (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (p = 0.012 and p = 0.050), and in some goniometric measurements as cervical rotation (p = 0.007 and p = 0.014), toraco-lumbar rotation (p = 0.009 and p = 0.050), and total cervical movements (p = 0.009 and p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In comparison with the educational-behavioural programme or no intervention, supervised training and home exercises improved long-term outcome in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.