The effects of clinical pilates in early chronic venous disease management

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of clinical pilates exercises in the treatment of early-stage chronic venous disease (CVD). Method: The study included seventy-one individuals who diagnosed as clinical stage 1 and stage 2 CVD and elderly than 18 years old. The individuals participating in the study were divided into two groups by randomization; 36 as clinical pilates and 35 as standard exercise group. Life quality was assessed with 'Epidemiological and Economic Study-Quality of Life Questionnaire (VEINES/QoL), sleep quality was assessed with 'Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PUKI)', pain was assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS), 'fatigue was assessed Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS)' physical activity level was assessed 'International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)'. 6-minute walk test (6MWT)" was used for functional capacity assessment. Lower extremity performance level was assessed with 'sit to stand test' and lower extremity position perception was evaluated with 'goniometric measurement'. Both groups performed physical exercise in groups of 5-8 people twice a week for 8 weeks with the same researcher. The researcher also had certification that he could practice clinical pilates exercise. All evaluations were repeated before treatment, at the 4th week of treatment and at the end of treatment (8th week). Individuals were provided with one-hour training including walking exercises, skin care and daily life activities as a home program. This information was repeated frequently during the treatment sessions. Results: Twenty-nine (80.6%) of the clinical pilates group were female and 7 (19.4%) were male. The mean age of individuals is 44.75 ± 9.44 years, mean body mass index is 26.45 ± 4.45 kg / m2. The standard exercise group has 31 (88.6%) female, 4 (11.4%) male, mean age is 44.57 ± 9.73 years, body mass index is 26.94 ± 4.23 kg / m2. In the comparison of both exercise trainings, it was found that there was a decrease in fatigue and pain intensity, an increase in quality of life, functional capacity, physical activity level, performance level and sleep quality at both the 4th and 8th weeks (p <0.05). However, there was no difference between groups at 8th week (p> 0.05). In addition, it was observed that there was an increase in lower extremity position perception in the 4th and 8th weeks of clinical Pilates exercise training. (p <0.05) Conclusion: Clinical pilates exercises are an effective and safe method in the management of individuals diagnosed with chronic venous disease.