EFFECTIVENESS OF PILATES EXERCISES VERSUS DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Purpose of the study: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Pilates exercises versus diaphragmatic breathing exercises on blood pressure and fasting lipid profile in patients with hypertension. Methods: Sixty male patients with hypertension (class I & class II) were recruited for this study from Physiotherapy department at King Khalid hospital in Najran city, The kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Their ages ranged from 45 to 60 years. Patients were assigned into three equal groups: group A (Pilates exercises group), group B (Diaphragmatic breathing exercises group), and group C (Control group). Patients received the prescribed interventions 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The outcome measures were Systolic blood pressure, Diastolic blood pressure, and Fasting lipid profile (Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and Triglycerides). The assessment was made before and after the study. Results: The results revealed that Systolic blood pressure, Diastolic blood pressure, Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and Triglycerides were significantly improved in all groups compared to baseline (P<0.05). Group A (Pilates group) showed more significant improvement in all outcome measures than group B (Diaphragmatic breathing group) and group C (Control group) (P<0.05). Conclusion: it could be concluded that both Pilates exercises and diaphragmatic breathing exercises may have significant effects on blood pressure and fasting lipid profile in patients with hypertension. However, Pilates exercises may be more effective than diaphragmatic breathing exercises in improving these outcomes.