Is Pilates beneficial for COPD?
as at 16 October 2024

Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a prevalent and progressive respiratory condition that significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Various rehabilitation strategies, including physical exercises and breathing techniques, are explored to manage symptoms and improve functional capacity. Pilates, a form of exercise focusing on controlled movements and breathing, has been investigated for its potential benefits in COPD management.

Key Insights
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• Improvement in Exercise Tolerance and Functional Capacity:
  • Pilates has been shown to improve exercise tolerance in patients with chronic diseases, including COPD. 2
  • Pilates breathing techniques can enhance functional capacity in COPD patients, potentially making it a valuable addition to rehabilitation programs. 1
• Symptom Management and Quality of Life:
  • There is moderate evidence that Pilates can improve symptoms and health-related quality of life in individuals with chronic diseases, including COPD. 2
• Respiratory Function and Oxygenation:
  • Diaphragmatic breathing (DB) and Pilates breathing (PB) both increase respiratory volumes and oxygenation, although DB shows more pronounced benefits in lung volumes and respiratory motion in COPD patients. 3
  • Pilates breathing specifically has been noted to increase oxygenation in both COPD patients and healthy individuals, despite not significantly altering volume and time measurements in COPD patients. 3

Conclusion

Pilates, particularly its breathing techniques, appears to offer several benefits for COPD patients, including improved exercise tolerance, enhanced functional capacity, better symptom management, and increased oxygenation. While diaphragmatic breathing may show more significant improvements in lung volumes and respiratory motion, Pilates breathing still contributes positively to oxygenation and overall respiratory health. Incorporating Pilates into COPD rehabilitation programs could be beneficial, though further research is needed to optimize protocols and confirm long-term benefits.


References
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1. Wakde, G., & Patil, P. (2021). Effects of Pilates Breathing on Chest Expansion, Dyspnoea and Functional Capacity in COPD Patients - An Experimental Study. International Journal of Research, 8, 249-262. https://doi.org/10.52403/IJRR.20210533.
Pilates breathing can be of great benefit in curing and rehabilitating respiratory conditions like COPD who present diaphragmatic muscle dysfunction.

2. Miranda, S., & Marques, A. (2018). Pilates in noncommunicable diseases: A systematic review of its effects.. Complementary therapies in medicine, 39, 114-130 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2018.05.018.
Pilates improves exercise tolerance and has moderate evidence for improving symptoms, muscle strength, and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

3. Cancelliero-Gaiad, K., Ike, D., Pantoni, C., Borghi-Silva, A., & Costa, D. (2014). Respiratory pattern of diaphragmatic breathing and pilates breathing in COPD subjects. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 18, 291 - 299. https://doi.org/10.1590/bjpt-rbf.2014.0042.
Pilates breathing increased respiratory volumes in healthy subjects but showed no changes in volume and time measurements in COPD patients.

4. Li, Z., Liu, S., Wang, L., & Smith, L. (2019). Mind–Body Exercise for Anxiety and Depression in COPD Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010022.
Mind-body exercise (tai chi, health qigong, yoga) significantly benefits COPD patients with anxiety and depression.

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