Pilates Method vs. Kinesiotherapy for Occupational Low Back Pain

September 15, 2026 updated by: Antonio Fernando Mardegan Filho, Universidade Federal do Triangulo Mineiro

Effect of the Pilates Method and Conventional Kinesiotherapy on Functional Disability and Health Self-Perception in Workers With Occupational Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Occupational low back pain is a prevalent cause of functional disability. This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effects of the Pilates Method and conventional kinesiotherapy on functional disability (Oswestry Index) and health self-perception in workers with occupational low back pain.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The study enrolled 18 workers diagnosed with occupational low back pain. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups: the Pilates Method or conventional kinesiotherapy. Clinical and functional evaluations were performed at baseline and post-intervention to assess the therapeutic outcomes.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

18

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Brazil
    • Minas Gerais
      • Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 38025-015
        • Physical Therapy Clinic, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Workers diagnosed with occupational low back pain.
  • Aged between18 and older
  • Signed the Informed Consent Form.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of spinal surgery.
  • Presence of severe spinal pathologies (e.g., tumors, fractures, infections).
  • Pregnancy.
  • Currently participating in another physical rehabilitation program for low back pain.
  • Cognitive impairment that prevents understanding of the questionnaires or exercises.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Pilates Method

Participants underwent a rehabilitation protocol based on the Pilates Method.
Other: Pilates Method

A rehabilitation program utilizing the Pilates Method principles focusing on core stability, flexibility, and muscle strengthening.
Active Comparator: Conventional Kinesiotherapy

Participants underwent a conventional kinesiotherapy exercise protocol.
Other: Conventional Kinesiotherapy

A standard physical therapy program involving stretching and strengthening exercises commonly used in clinical practice.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Functional Disability
Time Frame: Baseline, 5 weeks, and 6 weeks

Functional disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire. The total score ranges from 0 to 100%, with higher scores indicating a worse outcome (greater level of disability).
Baseline, 5 weeks, and 6 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Health Self-Perception
Time Frame: Baseline, 5 weeks, and 6 weeks

Health self-perception was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale asking participants to rate their physical and emotional health over the last month. The score for each question ranges from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating a worse outcome (1 = Very good; 2 = Good; 3 = Moderate; 4 = Bad; 5 = Very bad).
Baseline, 5 weeks, and 6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Universidade Federal do Triangulo Mineiro

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Dernival Bertoncello, PT, PhD, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 1, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

August 31, 2023

Study Completion (Actual)

August 31, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 9, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 15, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

September 21, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 21, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 15, 2026

Last Verified

September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 08688818.0.0000.5154

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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