Pilates Benefits in Pediatric Burn Survivors

Muscle Strength, Functional Capacity and Quality of Life Responses to Pilates Exercises in Children With Burn Injuries

This study investigated the effects of Pilates exercises on lower limb muscle strength, functional capacity, and quality of life in children with burn injuries. In a twelve-week randomized clinical trial involving 60 children, those who received Pilates exercises in addition to traditional physical therapy showed significant improvements in muscle strength, functional capacity, and overall quality of life compared to those who received traditional therapy alone. The findings suggest that incorporating Pilates exercises into rehabilitation programs may enhance outcomes for children recovering from burn injuries.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Burns; Pediatric Burn; Pilates Exercise
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: traditional physical therapy program; Other: Pilates exercises

Detailed Description

This research focused on examining the impact of Pilates exercises on lower limb muscle strength, functional capacity, and quality of life in children recuperating from burn injuries. The study, conducted as a twelve-week randomized clinical trial with 60 participants, found notable improvements in various aspects for the group receiving Pilates exercises alongside traditional physical therapy. Specifically, enhancements in muscle strength (including hip flexors, extensors, abductors, and more), functional capacity, and overall quality of life scores were statistically significant in the Pilates group compared to those undergoing traditional therapy alone. This suggests a positive influence of Pilates exercises on the rehabilitation of children with lower limb burns.

The investigation delved into the potential benefits of Pilates exercises, emphasizing their role in augmenting muscle strength, functional capacity, and overall well-being. The study participants, aged 10 to 15 years and recovering from lower limb burns, were randomly assigned to either a control group receiving only traditional physical therapy or a Pilates group combining Pilates exercises with traditional therapy. The outcomes demonstrated significant differences favoring the Pilates group, not only in terms of lower limb muscle strength but also functional capacity, as assessed by the 6-minute walk test, and overall quality of life scores measured through the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. The findings suggest that incorporating Pilates into rehabilitation programs for pediatric burn survivors can contribute positively to physical and functional recovery, potentially improving their overall quality of life.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Saudi Arabia
  • Riyadh
    • Al-Kharj, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 11432
      • Outpatient Clinic of College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Children with lower limb (LL) healed burns. Age between 10 and 15 years. Six months post-injury. Mixed deep 2nd & 3rd degree burn. Total body surface area (TBSA) between 35-55 percent. Capability to walk securely without assistance.

Exclusion Criteria:

Lower limb joint range of motion limits. Mental illnesses. Significant behavioral or cognitive impairments. Incapacity to exercise. Metabolic diseases. Neuropathy. Visual or vestibular abnormalities. Medical instability.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: traditional physical therapy programs; group that received traditional physical therapy programs (TPTP) alone	Other: traditional physical therapy program; The program included a variety of exercises such as range of motion exercises, aerobic exercises, resistance exercises, scar management, occupational therapy, and hand therapy.; Other Names: Exercise
Experimental: Pilates group; received both traditional physical therapy programs and Pilates exercises.	Other: traditional physical therapy program; The program included a variety of exercises such as range of motion exercises, aerobic exercises, resistance exercises, scar management, occupational therapy, and hand therapy.; Other Names: Exercise; Other: Pilates exercises; participants underwent a 12-week intervention involving three Pilates sessions per week. The Pilates exercises comprised warm-up activities, Pilates routines, and cool-down exercises.; Other Names: Pilates band

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Muscle Strength Assessment	Assessed using a calibrated handheld dynamometer (Micro FET2, Hoggan Health Technologies Inc., UT, USA), participants performed three 5-second contractions for each muscle group. The average score in newtons was calculated for each muscle group.	at baseline
Muscle Strength Assessment	Assessed using a calibrated handheld dynamometer (Micro FET2, Hoggan Health Technologies Inc., UT, USA), participants performed three 5-second contractions for each muscle group. The average score in newtons was calculated for each muscle group.	after 12 weeks
6-minute walk test	Participants were timed and given six minutes to walk as far as they could along a straight course. Running, jumping, or hopping were not allowed.	at baseline
6-minute walk test	Participants were timed and given six minutes to walk as far as they could along a straight course. Running, jumping, or hopping were not allowed.	after 12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory	A self-report questionnaire assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of children and adolescents. It includes physical health, psychosocial health, and a total summary score.	at baseline
Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory	A self-report questionnaire assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of children and adolescents. It includes physical health, psychosocial health, and a total summary score.	after 12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Qassim University
• Collaborators: Cairo University; Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University
• Investigators: Study Director: Maged Basha, PhD, Qassim University; Study Chair: Alshimaa Azab, PhD, Professor, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Aibar-Almazan A, Martinez-Amat A, Cruz-Diaz D, Jesus de la Torre-Cruz M, Jimenez-Garcia JD, Zagalaz-Anula N, Redecillas-Peiro MT, Mendoza-Ladron de Guevara N, Hita-Contreras F. The Influence of Pilates Exercises on Body Composition, Muscle Strength, and Gait Speed in Community-Dwelling Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Strength Cond Res. 2022 Aug 1;36(8):2298-2305. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003790. Epub 2020 Sep 25.
• Farrell RT, Gamelli RL, Sinacore J. Analysis of functional outcomes in patients discharged from an acute burn center. J Burn Care Res. 2006 Mar-Apr;27(2):189-94. doi: 10.1097/01.BCR.0000202615.59734.0E.
• Gojowy D, Kauke M, Ohmann T, Homann HH, Mannil L. Early and late-recorded predictors of health-related quality of life of burn patients on long-term follow-up. Burns. 2019 Sep;45(6):1300-1310. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2019.03.016. Epub 2019 Jun 5.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 10, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 22, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): December 15, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 23, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 31, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): February 1, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 1, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 31, 2024
• Last Verified: January 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Burns
• Other Study ID Numbers: RHPT/023/014

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: The data sets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
• IPD Sharing Time Frame: 6 months after publication
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: relevance to the topic of the study and approval of all co-authors within 1 month of receiving the request.
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: STUDY_PROTOCOL

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No