Publications
Improving muscle function and quality of life in women with chronic low back pain through combined self-myofascial release and Pilates: A randomized clinical trial (CONSORT)
Authors: Dasom Ha 1, Jihye Jung 2, Seungwon Lee 3
Affiliations:
- Dasom Pilates Center, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
- Institute of SMART Rehabilitation, Sahmyook University, Nowon-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Future Convergence, Sahmyook University, Nowon-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Journal: Medicine - January 2026, Volume 105, Issue 2, Article no. e46971 (DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000046971)
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Field & Applications:
- Medical
- Sport
- Treatment evaluation
- Musculoskeletal disorder
- Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
- Low back pain
- Warm-up / Recovery
Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common condition causing discomfort in daily life, emphasizing the need for effective therapeutic interventions. Pilates exercises reduce low back pain and improve muscle function, making them a safe and more effective approach to rehabilitation when combined with myofascial release. This study examines the combined impact of self-myofascial release and Pilates exercises on pain, muscle function, and quality of life in women with CLBP.
Methods: This study design is a single-blind, randomized, 2-arm, parallel clinical trial. The study recruited 32 women with CLBP and randomly assigned to combination group and Pilates group, which involved only Pilates exercises. Over a period of 6 weeks, both groups engaged in their respective exercise programs under professional supervision, with a home-based exercise routine.
Results: Results from the study indicate that both exercise interventions significantly reduced pain, and improved muscle function and quality of life. Especially, the self-myofascial release and Pilates group exhibited more pronounced improvements in pain reduction and muscle stiffness, likely due to the combined effect of myofascial release and Pilates exercises.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that incorporating the self-myofascial release with Pilates may enhance the therapeutic benefits for individuals with CLBP. The use of both targeted myofascial release and structured exercise regimens could be considered a viable strategy for the rehabilitation of CLBP.
Keywords: flexibility, low back pain, myofasical release, pain, Pilates
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of RP combined with self-myofascial release on pain, muscle function and quality of life in adult women with CLBP. This study showed that a RP intervention with self-myofascial release had a significant effect on pain, muscle function and quality of life in adult women with CLBP. In addition, the combination of self-myofascial release and Pilates exercises was more effective than Pilates exercises on low back pain disability index, flexibility and muscle stiffness. Therefore, it can be suggested the self-myofascial release before RP exercises can be used as a rehabilitation exercise for patients with CLBP to improve pain and low back pain disability index, reduce muscle tone and muscle stiffness, improve flexibility and muscle endurance, and improve quality of life.