From Screen Time to Spine Pain: Pilates-Based Rehabilitation for Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain in the Sedentary Lifestyle Era

Nonidha Tiendie; Abdul  Hakim Pranata; Badzlina  Sulistyo Putri Pratondo

doi:10.58344/ihj.v5i3.960

Authors

Nonidha Tiendie RSUD SLG Kediri
Abdul Hakim Pranata RSUD SLG Kediri
Badzlina Sulistyo Putri Pratondo RSUD SLG Kediri

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58344/ihj.v5i3.960

Keywords:

low back pain, non-specific low back pain, Pilates, sedentary lifestyle

Abstract

Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, while prolonged sitting, excessive screen time, and physical inactivity may contribute to persistent symptoms and functional limitations. This narrative review aimed to synthesize evidence regarding Pilates-based rehabilitation for CNSLBP in the context of increasingly sedentary lifestyles. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, primarily covering publications from 2017 to 2026 and supplemented by seminal references. Eligible sources included original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical practice guidelines. Relevant publications were screened by title and abstract, assessed through full-text review, and supplemented by reference list searches. The reviewed evidence suggested that Pilates-based exercise could reduce pain intensity and disability while improving physical function, trunk muscle endurance and control, flexibility, body awareness, and health-related quality of life, particularly when compared with minimal intervention or educational advice alone. These benefits may be associated with improved trunk muscle activation, lumbopelvic motor control, breathing coordination, and confidence in movement. However, evidence regarding the superiority of Pilates over other active exercise interventions remained inconsistent, and the certainty of the available evidence varied across outcomes and comparisons. Pilates-based exercise may therefore represent a valuable component of multimodal rehabilitation incorporating ergonomic education, regular physical activity, reduced sedentary behavior, and biopsychosocial management. Further high-quality research is needed to standardize intervention protocols, determine optimal exercise frequency, intensity, and duration, and evaluate long-term functional outcomes and recurrence prevention among individuals with sedentary lifestyles.

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