The effectiveness of Pilates on respiratory function, functional status and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. A systematic review
Keywords:
Αnkylosing spondylitis; Pilates; physiotherapy; systematic review; randomized controlled trialsAbstract
Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints, progressively limiting mobility and functional capacity and negatively impacting patients’ quality of life. Physiotherapeutic interventions such as the Pilates method are increasingly being explored as complementary approaches to enhance physical function, posture, and respiratory function.
Objectives: This systematic review aims to examine the effectiveness of Pilates in improving respiratory function, functional status, and quality of life in patients with AS.
Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and other databases for randomized controlled trials published in English between 2012 and 2024 with specific key words and Boolen terms. Studies were selected based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale.
Results: The flow chart showed a total of 7 studies. 5 RCTs studied the effectiveness of the Pilates method on respiratory function, 5 the effect on quality of life and 7 the effect on functional status. The PEDro scale showed 2 studies of high methodological quality, and 5 studies had fair methodological quality with a mean score of 5.6.
Conclusions: In the present systematic literature review Pilates method in patients with ankylosing spondylitis had a positive effect on the functional status, quality of life and respiratory function of the patients. Although most studies showed that Pilates had a positive effect in the measured variables the statistical significance between experimental and control groups varies and is often not consistently confirmed. Limitations of the present study are presented as well as recommendations for future analysis.
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