How Does the Execution of the Pilates Method and Therapeutic Exercise Influence Back Pain and Postural Alignment in Children Who Play String Instruments? A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Carolina Poncela-Skupien, Elena Pinero-Pinto, Carmen Martínez-Cepa, Juan Carlos Zuil-Escobar, Rita Pilar Romero-Galisteo and Rocío Palomo-Carrión
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Carolina Poncela-Skupien: Integral Rehabilitation Center, CRI. 38001 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Elena Pinero-Pinto: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Nursery, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Seville, 41004 Seville, Spain
Carmen Martínez-Cepa: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, CEU-San Pablo University, 28003 Madrid, Spain
Juan Carlos Zuil-Escobar: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, CEU-San Pablo University, 28003 Madrid, Spain
Rita Pilar Romero-Galisteo: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Science Health, University of Málaga, 29016 Málaga, Spain
Rocío Palomo-Carrión: Department of Nursery, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursery, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-20

Abstract: Background : Inappropriate posture in children while playing some string instruments can cause back pain and alterations of the spine. To date, there is no research on the effect of exercise on children who play a musical instrument, although it is known that transversus abdominis muscle control through the Pilates method has shown pain reduction and posture improvement in this population. Objective : To assess the effectiveness of the Pilates method combined with therapeutic exercise with respect to therapeutic exercise exclusively in reducing pain and improving postural alignment in children playing string instruments applying a protocol of low dose to increase children’s adherence to training. Methods : A randomized controlled pilot study was designed with two parallel intervention groups. Twenty-five children (10–14 years old) were randomized in two intervention groups: Pilates method with therapeutic exercise (experimental) and therapeutic exercise (control) for 4 weeks (50 min per day, one day per week). Two assessments were performed (before and after treatment) to assess back pain and shoulders and hips alignment using a visual analog scale and the Kinovea program. Results : Statistically significant differences were obtained for pain reduction before ( p = 0.04) and after ( p = 0.01) playing the instrument in the experimental group. There were no significant changes in alignment improvement in any of the two groups. Conclusion : The application of a low dose of the Pilates method combined with therapeutic exercise could be a beneficial intervention for pain reduction before and after musical practice in children who play string instruments.

Keywords: child; exercises; pilates-based; exercise therapy; musculoskeletal pain; spine; string instruments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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