PILATES AS AN INSTRUMENT TO IMPROVE BALANCE IN ELDERLY WOMEN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW WITH META-ANALYSIS

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594242423025

• Palavras-chave: Aging, physical exercise, postural balance

• Keywords: Aging, physical exercise, postural balance

• Abstract:

  Introduction: The use of Pilates to prevent falls has increased among physical education and physiotherapy professionals. The search for the method and the incidence of falls are higher among elderly women. Objective: To carry out a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials that investigated the effect of the Pilates method on balance, assessed by the TUG, in elderly women. Methodology: A search was carried out using the terms “Pilates” AND “balance” AND “aged” until December 2023. 44 clinical trials were found and after selection based on the eligibility criteria, 4 articles were eligible for this research. Statistical analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis. Results: The comparison between the Pilates group and the Control group revealed an effect size = -2.093 (minimum= -2.455 and maximum= 1.731) and Q= 66.946, considering 95% of the confidence interval and p<0.0001. Conclusion: Current literature suggests that Pilates is effective in improving balance in elderly women. However, a greater number of randomized clinical studies of high methodological quality are needed to investigate this subject. Furthermore, the results of this meta-analysis suggest that TUG is useful for detecting improvements in dynamic balance and functional capacity in elderly women undergoing Pilates to improve balance.