Efficacy of the Addition of Modified Pilates Exercises to a Minimal Intervention in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Background. The Pilates method has been used to improve function and reduce pain in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain, although there is little scientific evidence that describes its efficacy. Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the addition of modified Pilates exercises to minimal intervention in patients with chronic low back pain. Design. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Setting. The study was done in an outpatient physical therapy department in Brazil. Patients. Eighty-six patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain participated in the study. Intervention. All participants received an education booklet containing informa-tion about low back pain and were randomly allocated to receive 12 sessions, over 6 weeks, of exercises based upon Pilates principles (n43) or of education alone (n43)