Table 5 Description of the included systematic reviews; number of original studies included, population, intervention and control. Pilates

Aladro-Gonzalvo et al. (2013) [47]

SR: 9

MA: 9

Number of subjects: 245.

Definition: Persistent non-specific LBP (with or without leg pain) > 6 wks (not attributable to any specific disease) or recurrent LBP > 2 painful incidences/year

Duration: see definition.

% Women: 64%

Age:18–65 yrs

Pilates mat-work and/or apparatus

Training period:

23-12wks, 1–3 times/wks, and 6 to 24 sessions in total. 30–60 min/session

In two studies plus home exercise program 10 or 15 min. 3 to 6 times/wks,10 sessions

In one study in addition with normal exercise or sports regimes

Another physiotherapeutic treatment such as therapeutic massage, traditional dynamic lumbar stabilization exercises, back school and standard physiotherapy, or Minimal intervention such as no intervention, usual care, normal exercise or sports regimes

Training period: Similar number of weeks/sessions for other exercise interventions. For minimal interventions: NR

Byrnes et al. (2018) [59]

SR: 14

MA: 0

Number of subjects: 708

Definition: Chronic low back pain

Duration: Not reported.

% Women: NR, but one study only women.

Age:18–65 yrs

Pilates was in some studies modified with flexibility exercises or with equipment or on a mat or drugs or educational booklet

Training period:

Program duration 6–24 wks, one study used 1-year home training program. no information on dosage and intensity available

A large variation of active and passive control interventions: other types of exercise, normal routines, stationary cycling, social program, educational booklet on LBP, back school program, NSAIDs. Even no intervention control. In one study even comparison with mat Pilates and in another one with apparatus Pilates

Training period: Similar to intervention group

Lim et al. (2011) [60]

SR: 7

MA: 7

Number of subjects: 194.

Definition: Chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Duration: Persisted beyond the acute phase, > 12 wks

% Women: 63%

Age: 30–51 yrs

Pilates on mat, Pilates CovaTech

Training period:

4–12 wks. 6–24 sessions, 30–60 min

Therapeutic massage, Back School, Traditional lumbar stabilization exercise, respiratory education, postural education/muscular strengthening/mobilizing exercises, mat lumbar stabilization. Normal activities/no treatment: continue with normal activities with pain relief or without any exercise program or consultation with physician and other specialists and healthcare professionals

Training period: Similar to intervention group

Lin et al. (2016) [61]

SR: 8

MA: 0

Number of subjects: 500.

Definition: Chronic non-specific low back pain

Duration: > 12 w (one study > 6 wks).

% Women: NR

Age: 34–49 yrs

Pilates on a mat or with equipment with or without drugs, daily home program, booklet

Training period:

50–60 min 1–3/times/wk for 4–12 wks;

In 4 studies combined with home exercises between 10–14 h in total

General exercise + Daily home Program

NSAID, Stationary cycling, Pilates on mat, Booklet, No treatment/usual care: NR

Training period: Similar to intervention group

Miyamoto et al. (2013) [62]

SR: 8

MA: 2–4

Number of subjects: 363.

Definition: Chronic low back pain

Duration: > 12 w

% Women: 74%.

Age:41–49 yrs.

Pilates method-based floor exercises use of Reformer, Body Control Pilates in Reformer and Cadillac. One study no control group

Training period:

4–8 wks with in total 6–18 sessions. 60 min/session. In 2 studies combined with a homebased program

Normal activities and pain relief

Normal care with medical appointments, when necessary, No intervention, educational booklet + phone calls. General exercises used in the treatment (e.g., stationary bike, stretching, resistance training). McKenzie for sitting and standing posture correction, 3 repetitions performed 15–20 times per day or general exercises

Training period: Similar to intervention group

Pereira et al. (2012) [50]

SR: 5

MA: 2–4

Number of subjects: 134.

Definition: Chronic low back pain > 12 wks not attributable to any specific disease and/or recurrent low back pain > two incidences per year.

Duration: see definition

% Women: NR.

Age: 18–65 yrs.

Pilates (mat Pilates or Stott Pilates or Pilates Reformer)

Training period:

4–7.3 wks. 30–60 min per session, 1.5–3 times/wk at the clinic

No systematic exercise, Normal daily activity,

Normal daily activities and pain relief, massage

Treatment from health care professionals as needed. Lumbar stabilization exercises

Training period: NR

Posadzki et al. (2011) [63]

SR: 4

MA: 0

Number of subjects: 228.

Definition: Chronic low back pain, non-specific low back pain, discogenic low back pain

Duration: Not reported.

% Women: NR.

Age: NR

Pilates, in one study Back Rx Program and drugs

Training period: NR.

Back School intervention

Normal activities

Usual care

Drug therapy and cryobrace

Training period: NR

Wells et al. (2014) [43]

SR: 14

MA: 0

Number of subjects: 521.

Definition: Acute, subacute, recurrent or chronic low back pain

Duration: NR.

% Women: The ratio of female to male participants ranged from 5:1 through to 1:1, one study only females.

Age:21-49yrs.

Supervised Pilates in most studies,

home exercises were incorporated in 6 studies. Use of specialized Pilates exercise equipment, such as a Reformer, was

reported in 5 RCTs and in 1 study Pilates with education

Training period: 30 to 60-min/session

1–3 times/wk, 4–15 weeks

Usual care and physical activity, which could involve unknown other treatments, no treatment, education, medications or consultations with health professionals, such as physiotherapists

-Massage therapy

-Other forms of exercises ranged from cycling, McKenzie exercise, traditional lumbar stabilisation exercise, and a mixed form of exercise including stretching, strengthening and stabilisation

Training period: 4–15 wks

Yamato et al. (2015) [18]

SR: 10

MA: 2–6

Number of subjects: 535

Definition: low back pain

Duration: > 12 wks except one study > 6 wks

% Women: Two studies included only women and all the other both men and women.

Age: 22–50 yrs.

Pilates based upon Pilates principles

Training period: 6–30 sessions, 1–3 times/wks, with about 60 min of duration for 24–12 wks.

Minimal intervention, No intervention,

Other types of exercises, including general exercise and the McKenzie method

Training period: NR (4 studies), 2–3 times/wk 50–60 min during 6–8 wks (3 studies), 3 times/day 15–20 min (1 study), 8 wks (1 study), twice-weekly follow-up telephone call (1 study)