Pilates Method in Helicopter Pilots With Low Back Pain

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte16 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of an exercise program, based on the Pilates method, on the low back pain and muscle fatigue of Brazilian Air Force helicopter pilots.

Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial composed by Brazilian Air Force helicopter instructors. The volunteers will be submitted to an initial evaluation composed by painful sensation, analyzed through the Numerical Pain Scale, disability associated with low back pain, using the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, and back muscle fatigue, through the Ito test. The pilots will be randomly assigned to the Exercise Group (exercise program based on the Pilates method, twice a week for 12 weeks) and Control Group (no intervention). After the sixth and 12th week of the beginning of the intervention program a new evaluation will be carried out, identical to the initial one.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Interventions

Pilates GroupOTHER

The individuals of the Pilates group will perform specific exercises of the method, which will involve mobility, stability and muscular resistance. The exercises will progress according to the level of difficulty (basic, intermediate and advanced), load and repetition every three or four weeks.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 20 YearsMax age: 38 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Brazilian Air Force helicopter instructors - Natal Air Base; * Nonspecific low back pain for more than 3 months with a score of 2 or more at Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Exclusion Criteria: * Be undergoing physiotherapeutic treatment during the study period; * Corticosteroids treatment in the last two weeks; * Anti-inflammatory treatment in the previous 72 hours; * Have specific spinal pathologies, such as spondylitis, spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, disc herniation with radiculopathy or those who have had spinal surgery in the last year or who have a recent history of spinal fracture.

Locations (1)

Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Painful sensation

To compare the painful sensation in the lumbar region using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) across a range of 11, with 0 being described as 'no pain' and 10 as 'worst possible pain'.

Time frame: Change from baseline in low back pain sensation at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after the intervention protocol

Secondary Outcomes

Functional disability associated to back pain

To analyze the self-report low back pain disability through the Roland Morris Disability questionnaire.

Time frame: Change from baseline in disability at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after the intervention protocol

Back muscle fatigue

Measure the back muscular resistance to fatigue using the Ito test

Time frame: Change from baseline in back muscle fatigue at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after the intervention protocol

Central Contacts

Jamilson Simões Brasileiro, PhD

CONTACT

3342-2008 jamilson.brasileiro@ufrn.br

Lidiane Cristina Correia Bulhões, Msc

CONTACT

84 99107-5568 lidianeccorreia@hotmail.com

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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