The technique of Pilates exercises on a mat has proven to be effective and practically applicable to patients with chronic back pain. However, its application in women over 65 years has not been adequately studied.~Objective: This assessor-blind randomized clinical trial aims to study the effect of a mat Pilates exercise program on pain and functional ability of elderly women with chronic nonspecific low back pain.~Methods: 60 non-active elderly women with chronic nonspecific low back pain (duration of symptoms more than 12 weeks) are expected to participate in this study. Participants will be divided into two groups of 30 people each; one being intervention and one control. The intervention group will follow a custom mat Pilates program (twice per week), while the control group will not follow any treatment. Primary outcomes will include pain with the visual analog scale for pain and functionality with the Roland-Morris Questionnaire (RMQ). Secondary outcomes will include the balance with the Berg balance scale and the Timed Up and Go test, the number of painkillers administered, and the adherence to the exercise that will be evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the study and re-evaluated six months after the end of the intervention. The treatment period will be 10 weeks.
The technique of Pilates exercises on a mat has proven to be effective and practically applicable to patients with chronic back pain. However, its application in women over 65 years has not been adequately studied.~Objective: This assessor-blind randomized clinical trial aims to study the effect of a mat Pilates exercise program on pain and functional ability of elderly women with chronic nonspecific low back pain.~Methods: 60 elderly women with chronic nonspecific low back pain (duration of symptoms more than 12 weeks) are expected to participate in this study. Participants will be divided into two groups of 30 people each; one being intervention and one control. The intervention group will follow a custom mat Pilates program (twice per week) for 10 weeks, while the control group will not follow any treatment. Pain, functionality, balance, the number of painkillers administered, and adherence to exercise will be assessed at the beginning and end of the study and will be re-examined six months later.