Feasibility of a mat-based Pilates program for community dwelling seniors to improve balance and core strength.
Luigi Gonzales, Katrina Ngo, Perri Kraus and 2 others
PMID 40156452WHAT IT FOUND
An 8-week mat Pilates program was feasible and well-liked by seniors, but did not significantly improve balance or strength.
High baseline confidence and short duration likely limited gains. Participants requested more education and clearer goals for future programs.
Key findings
01Participants rated the program as highly acceptable and feasible, with mean scores of 4.7 or greater on standard measures.
02There were no significant improvements in functional balance tests or balance confidence scores after the 8-week program.
03Most participants reported a positive change in quality of life, despite the lack of objective functional gains.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study was a feasibility pilot with only 19 participants, so it was not powered to detect efficacy. The 8-week duration may have been too short to induce significant physiological changes in strength or balance. Participants had very high baseline balance confidence scores, creating a ceiling effect that masked potential improvements. The sample was predominantly female and non-Hispanic White, limiting generalizability. There was no control group, so changes cannot be attributed solely to the intervention versus time or placebo effects.
Declared interests
The study was funded by a 41st Trust Grant. All authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the high patient satisfaction and self-reported quality of life improvements as evidence that this 8-week program effectively treats balance deficits or fall risk. The objective measures showed no significant change, and the authors note the study was not powered to test efficacy.