Journal of Novel Physiotherapies
Open Access

Abstract

Study design: Randomized, controlled, crossover, clinical trial. Objective: To determine the effects of pilates exercises on physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in individuals with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Background: The exercises of the Pilates methodcontribute to a growing field of exercise interventions/physical training interventions in JIA. Methods: Fifty JIA patients were ran�?¬domly allocated to 2 groups and subsequently performed pilates exercises or physical therapy exercise program sessions for a 6-month period, and after a 30-day break from the intervention, they performed the other modality for an additional 6 months. The outcome measures were pain intensity (visual analog scale - VAS), disability (Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire - CHAQ), joint status (paediatric Escola Paulista de Medicina Range of Motion Scale â�?�? pEPM-ROM) and health-related quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory- PedsQOL 4.0). The Analysis of variance was used to analyze the data for the outcome measures, and the generalized linear model was used to evaluate the effect of the sequence, period and type of intervention in patients in each exercise sequence. Results: A significant difference in scores of Vas, CHAQ, PedsQOL 4.0, and the coefficient of determination values (R2) for the summary domains and components of PedsQL 4.0 indicated, independent of sequence or period, that the Pilates exercises increased these scores and coefficients when compared to the physical therapy exercise program (p<0.05). Conclusion: The pilates exercises have had a positive effect on physical function and HRQL of individuals with JIA.

Biography

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