Abstract
Objective
To conduct a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of Pilates intervention
on physical function in children and youth.
Data Sources
Six electronic databases were searched from inception to June 2018 using the term
Pilates.
Study Selection
Articles were included if they (1) reported original data for a Pilates-only intervention;
(2) involved children or youth aged up to 22 years; (3) reported a musculoskeletal,
pain, or function study outcome. Searches identified 2565 papers and 11 studies fulfilled
the inclusion criteria.
Data Extraction
The 2 authors independently screened and assessed all studies and any discrepancies
were resolved by consensus.
Data Synthesis
Level of evidence was classified using the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine.
Study quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database for randomized
controlled trials and Risk of Bias in N-of-1 Trials scale for single case experimental
design studies. Four studies were high quality, 3 were fair quality, and 4 were of
low quality. Findings showed that Pilates does appear to improve flexibility (n=6);
muscle strength, power and movement speed (n=3); postural control, orientation and
balance (n=3); metabolic cost (n=1); functional ability (n=1) and health related quality
of life (n=1) and reduce pain (n=2) in children with musculoskeletal pathology, the
majority with a large effect size. Pilates content varied from group-based mat classes
to individualized programs using specialized equipment. Intervention dose and frequency
varied widely.
Conclusions
This is the first systematic review of the effect of Pilates intervention for children
and youth. Research is in the preliminary stages; however, Pilates does appear to
improve flexibility, strength and postural control, and reduce pain in children with
musculoskeletal pathology. Further research is warranted to determine the potential
effectiveness of Pilates for children and youth for various population groups and
to develop comprehensive treatment guidelines.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
HRQoL (health related quality of life), JIA (juvenile idiopathic arthritis), PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses), SCED (single case experimental design)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 29, 2019
Footnotes
Disclosures: none.
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
