Effects of Telerehabilitation-Based Clinical Pilates Exercises on Functionality and Physical Fitness in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: Randomized Controlled Study

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of clinical Pilates exercises performed through telerehabilitation in individuals who had undergone bariatric surgery (BS). Design: This is a prospective randomized controlled trial. A total of 20 individuals who had undergone BS patients were randomly allocated to the clinical Pilates exercise group (CPEG) and the control group (CG). The CPEG underwent telerehabilitation-based clinical Pilates exercises under physiotherapist supervision, twice weekly for 6 weeks. The CG received online physical activity (PA) counseling. The primary outcome was the functionality, which was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test Battery (6-min walk test [6-MWT], chair stand test, 8-foot up and go test [8-FUGT], arm curl test, back scratch test, chair sit, and reach test). Secondary outcomes were muscle strength, core stability, body composition, pedometer-recorded PA level, obesity-specific quality of life (QoL), and health-related QoL. Results: At the end of the study, statistically significant improvements favoring the CPEG were observed in the 6-MWT distance, arm curl, 8-FUGT, lower trapezius and gluteus maximus muscle strength, core stabilization, metabolic age, step count, Obesity and Weight Loss Quality of Life Instrument, and Nottingham Health Profile. Conclusion: Clinical Pilates exercises performed through telerehabilitation provide improvement in the parameters of functionality, physical fitness, and QoL in individuals who have undergone BS.