Effect of Pilates and Yoga on Balance in Subjects with Hemiparetic Stroke – A Comparative Pilot Study

Background: In patients with stroke, balance is mainly affected in day-to-day life activity. Pilates and yoga include physical and mental components focusing on breathing control, spinal alignment and flexibility via multiple exercises. Pilates focuses on core stability and spinal alignment, whereas yoga combines specific postures, movement sequences, relaxation and meditation. Aim: To compare the effect of Pilates and Yoga on balance in patient with hemiparetic stroke. Material & Method: This study was conducted in various neurological set ups of Surat. 10 hemiparetic stroke patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups: 5 in group A (Pilates & conventional physiotherapy exercise) and 5 in group B (Yoga & conventional physiotherapy exercise). Patients in both groups received intervention for 3 days/week for 45 minutes for 4 weeks. Conventional physiotherapy was given 6 days/week. Balance was assessed by using Berg Balance Scale. Data were recorded at baseline and after 4 weeks of training. Descriptive statistics was calculated using mean and standard deviation, Paired t-test was used to find difference within group and independent t-test for between group comparison. Result: The results showed there was no significant difference in between group on balance but there was improvement in balance in both groups. Conclusion: After 4 weeks of training, there was significant improvement in balance in both groups. And there was no significant difference in pilates versus yoga in patients with hemiparetic stoke. KEYWORDS: Balance, Hemiparetic stroke, Pilates, Yoga.