The effect of pilates based exercises on quality of life and back pain in mothers who have cronic disabled child

This study was carried out in order to search the effect of Pilates based mat exercises on chronic disabled children?s mothers, quality of life and back pain. In this study, 36 chronic disabled children who have no individual walking function and their mothers who have back pain were included in. Chronic disabled children?s mothers who have participated in our study were divided into two groups such as control group (n=18) and the group which was given pilates exercises (n=18). While mothers in Pilates exercises group practised 45 minutes Pilates exercises with the help of a physiotherapist during 8 weeks twice a week, the other mothers in control group was not given any other exercise programme. In the beginning of this study and 8 weeks later life qualities of mothers in both groups were evaluated by Short Form-36 (SF-36) quality of life questionnaire and their back pain was evaluated by Oswestry disability index (ODI). Functional levels of the children in this study were evaluated by Pediatric functional independence measure (WeeFIM), Gros motor function measure (GMFM) and Gros motor function classification system (GMFCS).The last sub scala values of SF-36 Physical Component Scale (PCS), physical function, physical-role, pain and social function which belongs to pilates group were statistically seen more meaingful and higher than according to initial values (p<0.05). The more meaningful increase was seen in the last SF-36 physical function, physical-role, pain sub scala scores values of pilates group?s mothers than control group?s by statistically (p<0.05). The ODI pain intensity, holding, personal care, sleep and strolling sub scala scores last values of pilates group?s mothers were found significantly lower than control group`s by statistically (p<0.05). A meaningful negative correlation was found between WeeFIM scores of children and ODI total / ODI sub scala scores (strolling, standing and liftweighting) of mothers (p<0.05).In conclusion, Pilates exercises were effective on mothers who have disabled children in the area of the physical function, physical-role and pain to increase the quality of life and to reduce the intensity of back pain.Key Words: Mother, disabled child, Pilates.