Paula Brandao - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Paula Brandao

Research paper thumbnail of Laboratory gait analysis in patients with low back pain before and after a pilates intervention

Journal of sport …, 2009

1. J Sport Rehabil. 2009 May;18(2):269-82. Laboratory gait analysis in patients with low back pai... more 1. J Sport Rehabil. 2009 May;18(2):269-82. Laboratory gait analysis in patients with low back pain before and after a pilates intervention. da Fonseca JL, Magini M, de Freitas TH. Doctoral student in Biomedical Engineering ...

Research paper thumbnail of Does a program of Pilates improve chronic non-specific low back pain?

Journal of sport …, 2006

To evaluate the effect of a program of modifi ed Pilates for active individuals with chronic non-... more To evaluate the effect of a program of modifi ed Pilates for active individuals with chronic non-specifi c low back pain. Design: A single blind randomized controlled trial. Participants: 49 individuals with chronic low back pain were randomly allocated to control (n = 24) or Pilates group (n = 25). Thirty-four individuals completed the study (14 and 20 individuals for control and Pilates group, respectively). Intervention: The Pilates group undertook a six week program of Pilates. Both groups continued with normal activity. Main Outcome Measures: An assessor blinded to group allocation conducted functional and questionnaire-based assessments pre-and post-intervention. Results: Improvements were seen in the Pilates group post-intervention period with increases (P < 0.05) in general health, sports functioning, fl exibility, proprioception, and a decrease in pain. The control group showed no signifi cant differences in the same measures post-intervention. Conclusions: These data suggest that Pilates used as a specifi c core stability exercise incorporating functional movements can improve non-specifi c chronic low back pain in an active population compared to no intervention. Additionally, Pilates can improve general health, pain level, sports functioning, fl exibility, and proprioception in individuals with chronic low back pain.

Research paper thumbnail of The effectiveness of Pilates training in healthy adults: An appraisal of the research literature

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2007

Pilates has gained momentum and attention in the past 5 years as a modality for improving flexibi... more Pilates has gained momentum and attention in the past 5 years as a modality for improving flexibility, strength and mind-body awareness. What is not revealed, however, is the scientific basis for this practice. The two-fold purpose of this review was to (1) critically appraise published research on Pilates in healthy adults and (2) propose future research options for this method in healthy adults. An extensive literature search was conducted, using Pilates as the search word. A total of 277 articles were found. Thirty-nine articles and abstracts were published in refereed, professional journals, of which there were only three clinical trials in healthy adults. The strengths of these three clinical trials were the (1) use of established measurements for stated outcomes and (2) documented need for research in this area. The weaknesses were (1) lack of true experimental designs, (2) small sample sizes, and (3) lack of a defined method of Pilates. There is cautious support for the effectiveness of Pilates in improving flexibility, abdominal and lumbo-pelvic stability and muscular activity, primarily due to a lack of sound research methodology surrounding each study. Utilizing a true experimental design and stating the Pilates method utilized can strengthen and improve future Pilates research in healthy adults.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of Pilates exercise on trunk strength, endurance and flexibility in sedentary adult females

Journal of bodywork and …, 2007

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Pilates exercise on abdominal and lower... more The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Pilates exercise on abdominal and lower back strength, abdominal muscular endurance and posterior trunk flexibility of sedentary adult females. The body fat and body mass index (BMI) pre-and post-data were also assessed as secondary outcomes. To assess abdominal and lower back strength, posterior trunk flexion and extension data were obtained concentrically on a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer at speeds of 601 and 1201 s À1 . Abdominal muscular endurance was assessed using the crunch test and posterior trunk flexibility was measured using the sit and reach test. Results of multivariate analysis revealed a significant difference (po.05) between pre-and post-measures of 601 s À1 flexion/extension and 1201 s À1 flexion, and abdominal muscular endurance and posterior trunk flexibility of the exercise group. It can be concluded that there was a positive effect of Modern Pilates mat exercises on abdominal and lower back muscular strength, abdominal muscular endurance and posterior trunk flexibility in sedentary adult females regardless of the fact that the body weight and fat percentages did not differ significantly.

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of Pilates training on the ability to contract the transversus abdominis muscle in asymptomatic individuals

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2005

The neuromuscular system acts to maintain postural stability and reduce the impact of deleterious... more The neuromuscular system acts to maintain postural stability and reduce the impact of deleterious loads on the spine. Exercising of the abdominal muscles has become widely used in the management of low back pain in order to provide this supplement to spinal stability. Several exercise programmes have been advocated to promote stabilization but evaluation is difficult. This study evaluates two common forms of exercise effects on the ability to appropriately contract Transversus Abdominis (TrA) muscle, whose normal function is regarded as significant in spinal stability.

Research paper thumbnail of The effects of Pilates training on flexibility and body composition: an observational study

Archives of physical medicine and …, 2004

Segal NA, Hein J, Basford JR. The effects of Pilates training on flexibility and body composition... more Segal NA, Hein J, Basford JR. The effects of Pilates training on flexibility and body composition: an observational study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:1977-81. Objective: To assess claims regarding the effects of Pilates training on flexibility, body composition, and health status.

Research paper thumbnail of Pilates-based therapeutic exercise: effect on subjects with nonspecific chronic low back pain and functional disability: a randomized controlled trial

The Journal of orthopaedic and …, 2006

A randomized controlled trial, pretest-posttest design, with a 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Ob... more A randomized controlled trial, pretest-posttest design, with a 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of a therapeutic exercise approach in a population with chronic low back pain (LBP). Background: Therapeutic approaches developed from the Pilates method are becoming increasingly popular; however, there have been no reports on their efficacy. Methods and Measures: Thirty-nine physically active subjects between 20 and 55 years old with chronic LBP were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. The specific-exercise-training group participated in a 4-week program consisting of training on specialized (Pilates) exercise equipment, while the control group received the usual care, defined as consultation with a physician and other specialists and healthcare professionals, as necessary. Treatment sessions were designed to train the activation of specific muscles thought to stabilize the lumbar-pelvic region. Functional disability outcomes were measured with The Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ/RMDQ-HK) and average pain intensity using a 101-point numerical rating scale. Results: There was a significantly lower level of functional disability (P = .023) and average pain intensity (P = .002) in the specific-exercise-training group than in the control group following the treatment intervention period. The posttest adjusted mean in functional disability level in the specific-exercise-training group was 2.0 (95% CI, 1.3 to 2.7) RMQ/RMDQ-HK points compared to a posttest adjusted mean in the control group of 3.2 (95% CI, 2.5 to 4.0) RMQ/RMDQ-HK points. The posttest adjusted mean in pain intensity in the specific-exercise-training group was 18.3 (95% CI, 11.8 to 24.8), as compared to 33.9 (95% CI, 26.9 to 41.0) in the control group. Improved disability scores in the specific-exercise-training group were maintained for up to 12 months following treatment intervention. Conclusions: The individuals in the specific-exercise-training group reported a significant decrease in LBP and disability, which was maintained over a 12-month follow-up period. Treatment with a 1 Graduate student (at time of study), modified Pilates-based approach was more efficacious than usual care in a population with chronic, unresolved LBP.

Research paper thumbnail of Laboratory gait analysis in patients with low back pain before and after a pilates intervention

Journal of sport …, 2009

1. J Sport Rehabil. 2009 May;18(2):269-82. Laboratory gait analysis in patients with low back pai... more 1. J Sport Rehabil. 2009 May;18(2):269-82. Laboratory gait analysis in patients with low back pain before and after a pilates intervention. da Fonseca JL, Magini M, de Freitas TH. Doctoral student in Biomedical Engineering ...

Research paper thumbnail of Does a program of Pilates improve chronic non-specific low back pain?

Journal of sport …, 2006

To evaluate the effect of a program of modifi ed Pilates for active individuals with chronic non-... more To evaluate the effect of a program of modifi ed Pilates for active individuals with chronic non-specifi c low back pain. Design: A single blind randomized controlled trial. Participants: 49 individuals with chronic low back pain were randomly allocated to control (n = 24) or Pilates group (n = 25). Thirty-four individuals completed the study (14 and 20 individuals for control and Pilates group, respectively). Intervention: The Pilates group undertook a six week program of Pilates. Both groups continued with normal activity. Main Outcome Measures: An assessor blinded to group allocation conducted functional and questionnaire-based assessments pre-and post-intervention. Results: Improvements were seen in the Pilates group post-intervention period with increases (P < 0.05) in general health, sports functioning, fl exibility, proprioception, and a decrease in pain. The control group showed no signifi cant differences in the same measures post-intervention. Conclusions: These data suggest that Pilates used as a specifi c core stability exercise incorporating functional movements can improve non-specifi c chronic low back pain in an active population compared to no intervention. Additionally, Pilates can improve general health, pain level, sports functioning, fl exibility, and proprioception in individuals with chronic low back pain.

Research paper thumbnail of The effectiveness of Pilates training in healthy adults: An appraisal of the research literature

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2007

Pilates has gained momentum and attention in the past 5 years as a modality for improving flexibi... more Pilates has gained momentum and attention in the past 5 years as a modality for improving flexibility, strength and mind-body awareness. What is not revealed, however, is the scientific basis for this practice. The two-fold purpose of this review was to (1) critically appraise published research on Pilates in healthy adults and (2) propose future research options for this method in healthy adults. An extensive literature search was conducted, using Pilates as the search word. A total of 277 articles were found. Thirty-nine articles and abstracts were published in refereed, professional journals, of which there were only three clinical trials in healthy adults. The strengths of these three clinical trials were the (1) use of established measurements for stated outcomes and (2) documented need for research in this area. The weaknesses were (1) lack of true experimental designs, (2) small sample sizes, and (3) lack of a defined method of Pilates. There is cautious support for the effectiveness of Pilates in improving flexibility, abdominal and lumbo-pelvic stability and muscular activity, primarily due to a lack of sound research methodology surrounding each study. Utilizing a true experimental design and stating the Pilates method utilized can strengthen and improve future Pilates research in healthy adults.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of Pilates exercise on trunk strength, endurance and flexibility in sedentary adult females

Journal of bodywork and …, 2007

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Pilates exercise on abdominal and lower... more The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Pilates exercise on abdominal and lower back strength, abdominal muscular endurance and posterior trunk flexibility of sedentary adult females. The body fat and body mass index (BMI) pre-and post-data were also assessed as secondary outcomes. To assess abdominal and lower back strength, posterior trunk flexion and extension data were obtained concentrically on a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer at speeds of 601 and 1201 s À1 . Abdominal muscular endurance was assessed using the crunch test and posterior trunk flexibility was measured using the sit and reach test. Results of multivariate analysis revealed a significant difference (po.05) between pre-and post-measures of 601 s À1 flexion/extension and 1201 s À1 flexion, and abdominal muscular endurance and posterior trunk flexibility of the exercise group. It can be concluded that there was a positive effect of Modern Pilates mat exercises on abdominal and lower back muscular strength, abdominal muscular endurance and posterior trunk flexibility in sedentary adult females regardless of the fact that the body weight and fat percentages did not differ significantly.

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of Pilates training on the ability to contract the transversus abdominis muscle in asymptomatic individuals

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2005

The neuromuscular system acts to maintain postural stability and reduce the impact of deleterious... more The neuromuscular system acts to maintain postural stability and reduce the impact of deleterious loads on the spine. Exercising of the abdominal muscles has become widely used in the management of low back pain in order to provide this supplement to spinal stability. Several exercise programmes have been advocated to promote stabilization but evaluation is difficult. This study evaluates two common forms of exercise effects on the ability to appropriately contract Transversus Abdominis (TrA) muscle, whose normal function is regarded as significant in spinal stability.

Research paper thumbnail of The effects of Pilates training on flexibility and body composition: an observational study

Archives of physical medicine and …, 2004

Segal NA, Hein J, Basford JR. The effects of Pilates training on flexibility and body composition... more Segal NA, Hein J, Basford JR. The effects of Pilates training on flexibility and body composition: an observational study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:1977-81. Objective: To assess claims regarding the effects of Pilates training on flexibility, body composition, and health status.

Research paper thumbnail of Pilates-based therapeutic exercise: effect on subjects with nonspecific chronic low back pain and functional disability: a randomized controlled trial

The Journal of orthopaedic and …, 2006

A randomized controlled trial, pretest-posttest design, with a 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Ob... more A randomized controlled trial, pretest-posttest design, with a 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of a therapeutic exercise approach in a population with chronic low back pain (LBP). Background: Therapeutic approaches developed from the Pilates method are becoming increasingly popular; however, there have been no reports on their efficacy. Methods and Measures: Thirty-nine physically active subjects between 20 and 55 years old with chronic LBP were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. The specific-exercise-training group participated in a 4-week program consisting of training on specialized (Pilates) exercise equipment, while the control group received the usual care, defined as consultation with a physician and other specialists and healthcare professionals, as necessary. Treatment sessions were designed to train the activation of specific muscles thought to stabilize the lumbar-pelvic region. Functional disability outcomes were measured with The Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ/RMDQ-HK) and average pain intensity using a 101-point numerical rating scale. Results: There was a significantly lower level of functional disability (P = .023) and average pain intensity (P = .002) in the specific-exercise-training group than in the control group following the treatment intervention period. The posttest adjusted mean in functional disability level in the specific-exercise-training group was 2.0 (95% CI, 1.3 to 2.7) RMQ/RMDQ-HK points compared to a posttest adjusted mean in the control group of 3.2 (95% CI, 2.5 to 4.0) RMQ/RMDQ-HK points. The posttest adjusted mean in pain intensity in the specific-exercise-training group was 18.3 (95% CI, 11.8 to 24.8), as compared to 33.9 (95% CI, 26.9 to 41.0) in the control group. Improved disability scores in the specific-exercise-training group were maintained for up to 12 months following treatment intervention. Conclusions: The individuals in the specific-exercise-training group reported a significant decrease in LBP and disability, which was maintained over a 12-month follow-up period. Treatment with a 1 Graduate student (at time of study), modified Pilates-based approach was more efficacious than usual care in a population with chronic, unresolved LBP.