The effect of Pilates exercise on pain control and wound healing in patients with 2 degree burns: A clinical trial study

Aims Pilates is a sport that may play a role in reducing pain and healing burns faster like other sports, but these effects have not been investigated in a study.  Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of Pilates exercise on pain control and wound healing among patients with second-degree burns. Materials & Methods The present study is a randomized clinical trial study one in which 64 patients were randomly divided into intervention (A), and control (B) groups. Patients in group A received 12 sessions of 45 to 60 minutes of Pilates exercise individually. Patients in group B received routine care. In both groups, pain was assessed once before and 11 times after the intervention using the Visual Analogue Scale. Like pain, wound healing was assessed in both groups once before and 7th day and 14th days after the intervention using the Bets-Jensen Wound Healing Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21 through descriptive and inferential statistics with considering p<0.05. Findings There were no significant differences in the demographic variables, wound healing, and pain between patients in control and intervention groups (p> 0.05). In all times of the measurement, the mean of pain score and wound healing after the intervention were significantly improved in intervention group than control group (p< 0.05). Conclusion The results indicated that Pilates exercise improved pain and burn wound healing in burned patients. If the results confirmed in other studies, as a complementary intervention, it can be considered as a complementary intervention in the management of pain and wounds among patients with second-degree burns by health care providers. Further studies in this regard are recommended.