Investigation of the Effects of Pilates Training in Parkinson Patients

This study was planned to examine the effects of Pilates training, which is a "core" stability based exercise method that improves body alignment, postural control and balance, on "core" stability, the thickness of the "core" muscles, functional exercise capacity, motor functions, freezing, fatigue and daily life activities (ADLs) in Parkinson's Patients. The study included 34 Parkinson's patients between Hoehn \& Yahr Stage 1-2.5. The patients were randomly divided into two groups as as Pilates (n: 17) and control (n: 17). Pilates training was applied to the Pilates group for 8 weeks, 3 days per week. To the control group; Breathing exercises, active range of motion exercises and relaxation exercises were given as a home program 3 days per week for 8 weeks. The "core" power with the "sit-ups" and the modified "push-ups" tests, the "core" endurans with lateral bridge, trunk flexor endurance and "prone bridge" tests, the thickness of the "core" muscles by ultrasonography, functional strength of the lower limbs with 5 Times Sit Up Test (5TSST), balance with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), functional mobility; with the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), functional exercise capacity and walking with the 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT), motor impairment with the United Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)-III, freezing with Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOGQ), fatigue with Parkinson's Fatigue Scale (PFS-16), ADLs with UPDRS-II, quality of life (QOL) with Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) were evaluated before and after treatment.