Pilates method on pulmonary function and range of motion after coronary artery bypass grafting: A clinical trial

Introduction: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can compromise pulmonary function and range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder and knee joints due to median sternotomy and saphenectomy, the Pilates method being a strategy for reducing loss.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of applying the Pilates method on pulmonary function and ROM in patients undergoing CABG.

Method: ology: This is a clinical trial. Patients were evaluated preoperatively at discharge from the hospital for shoulder flexion and abduction and knee flexion-extension. In addition, vital capacity(VC), maximum inspiratory pressure(MIP), expiratory pressure(MEP) and peak expiratory flow(PEF) were evaluated. Upon discharge from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), they were divided into a control group(CG) that received conventional assistance and Pilates(PG) was increased with Pilates method techniques.

Results: 40 patients were analyzed, 25 were men(61%), with a mean age of 66 ± 7 years. At the end, the left shoulder abduction in the CG was 105±9vs115 ± 8 in the PG(p = 0.03), the right shoulder abduction in the CG 104 ± 11vs116 ± 10 in the PG(p < 0.001) and right knee flexion in the CG 78 ± 13vs92 ± 9 in the PG(0.002). In relation to MIP, the CG had a loss of 32 ± 8 while the PG 18 ± 10cmH2O(p < 0.001), the worsening MEP was 31 ± 9(CG)vs29 ± 11cmH2O(PG)(p = 0.53), the VC in the CG reduced 8±9vs6±8 in the PG(p = 0.23) and the PEF reduced 107 ± 5 in the GCvs83 ± 88 in the PG(p = 0.09).

Conclusion: It is concluded that the Pilates method decreased the loss of ROM and maximum inspiratory pressure in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.