Therapeutic Effect of the Pilates Method in People With HAM/TSP: a Randomized Crossover Study

Individuals with HTLV-1 secondary myelopathy (HAM/TSP) may have motor and sensory alterations, which may result in reduced functional performance and consequent risk of falls. The aim of the study is to verify the therapeutic effect of a Pilates exercise program on functional performance and risk of falls, when compared to task-oriented training, of people with HAM / TSP. This is a randomized, crossover clinical trial performed with individuals with HAM / TSP who are attended at a referral center who is able to perform gait whether or not to use a walking aid. Amputees, with psychiatric disorders, rheumatic or orthopedic diseases and other associated neurological disorders, which could influence the balance and functional mobility, as well as pregnant women, were excluded. Participants will be submitted to the initial evaluation of functional mobility, balance, gait balance, fatigue, gait endurance, sphincter changes and questioned about the occurrence of falls in the last three months and will answer a semi-structured questionnaire about their conjugality. They will be allocated randomly to two groups. One will perform the Pilates Method protocol and the other task-oriented training. The first group, called test-control group (GTC), will initiate the protocol with exercises of the Pilates method; the control-test group (GCT) will initiate the task-oriented training protocol. A p <0.05 will be considered a statistically significant difference.