Author(s): MELONI, M., MANCA, A., VENTURA, L., CONSOLI, G., FENU, S., MURA, G., DERIU, F., CUGUSI, L., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF SASSARI, Country: ITALY, Abstract-ID: 1998

INTRODUCTION:
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an online, prenatal Pilates-based program on low back pain (LPB) severity, sleep quality, mood, and depression levels in pregnant women. Additionally, the study sought to assess the potential benefits of continuing the training post-partum. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the amount of exercise and its impact on prenatal and post-partum outcomes.
METHODS:
This study employed an exploratory, single-group pre-post intervention design. One-hundred and sixty-six pregnant women meeting specific eligibility criteria volunteered for this study (certified low-risk pregnancy; aged between 18 and 45 years; single pregnancy; gestational age between 20 and 28 weeks; normal BMI). Participants engaged in a Pilates-based telerehabilitation program during pregnancy and post-partum via an online platform. Outcome measures including weight control, LBP disability, sleep quality, mood, and mental health were assessed at baseline and after completion of both pre-partum and post-partum training.
RESULTS:
Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons revealed significant gains in weight at large effect sizes only in low (+12.2%; p<0.0001) and intermediate-amount exercisers (+9.6%; p<0.0001), while high exercisers did not increase their weight in a significant manner (+3.8%; p=0.13). Adjusted pairwise comparisons revealed a significant increase in LBP-related disability in low (+93.1%; p<0.0001) and intermediate exercisers (+84.9%; p<0.0001), while high exercisers did not display significant increase in disability (+42.7%; p=0.21). Adjusted pairwise comparisons showed a significant increase in sleep disturbance in low-amount exercisers (<1.5 hours/week; +24.3%; p=0.005) but not in intermediate (1.5 to 3 hours/week; +4.6%; p=0.50) and high-amount ones (>3 hours/week; -0.1%; p=0.91). Pairwise comparisons showed significant increases in depression scores in all groups of exercisers, at large effect sizes (low-amount: +51.5%; p<0.0001; intermediate-amount: +42.9%; p<0.0001; high-amount: +35.6%; p=0.003). Regarding the effects of the post-partum intervention, pairwise comparisons revealed a significant reduction of sleep disturbances (-24.1%; p= 0.003) and depression scores (-15.9%; p=0.04) only in intermediate exercisers.
CONCLUSION:
Approximately 270 minutes of home-based, tele-Pilates exercise were needed to prevent LBP worsening, and sleep deterioration in pregnant women. A different pattern was outlined for those women resuming the Pilates-based intervention at post-partum, with 150 minutes emerging as the “dose” of exercise capable to induce the largest improvements in LBP, sleep, and mood disturbances. Further research with larger sample sizes and control groups is needed to confirm these results and enhance methodological rigor.