The effect of Pilates exercises on the pain and the flexor and extensor knee muscles momnetum in women with rheumatoid arthritis

 Aims and background: Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory, autoimmune, chronic, and progressive connective tissue disease with an unknown cause that is associated with symptoms such as pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, and dryness in the joints and decreased energy, leading to muscle inactivity and atrophy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Pilates exercises on pain and isometric torque of flexor muscles and knee extensors in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and methods: Thirty female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (hip and knee joints) were randomly divided into two groups (15 experimental groups and 15 control groups). Evaluation of the pain performed with visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scale and Kin-com 125A isokinetic dynamometer were used to assess the isometric torque of the muscles. The experimental group performed Pilates exercises for eight weeks and three sessions a week. Paired t-test and analysis of covariance were used to interpret the data in two groups. (P≤0.05). Results: The findings showed that the pain of the experimental group after eight weeks of Pilates exercises was significantly lower than the control group (P <0.05). Also, the isometric torque of the knee flexor and extensor muscles of the experimental group is significantly better than the control group members (P <0.05). Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, Pilates exercises can improve the pain and the knee flexor and extensor muscles isometric torque of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.