Mat Pilates Exercise Program in Patients With Axial Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease commonly accompanied by joint involvement known as psoriatic arthritis (PsA) \[1\]. PsA is a subgroup of spondyloarthritis and is characterized by peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, enthesitis and spondylitis. Axial involvement, which occurs in approximately 40% of PsA patients may affect the entire spine, particularly the sacroiliac joint, leading to reduced cervical rotation, lateral flexion and anterior flexion of the spine \[2,3\]. Exercise interventions in PsA primarily aim to relieve pain, improve mobility and enhance functional capacity \[4\]. Mat Pilates exercises have been demonstrated as a safe and beneficial intervention in various rheumatic diseases, exhibiting significant improvements in functional status, fatigue, disease activity, pain, and overall quality of life \[5-7\]. Additionally, Pilates has been reported as effective in maintaining and enhancing spinal mobility \[8,9\]. However, despite these favorable outcomes, the efficacy of Pilates exercises in PsA remains unexplored. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of mat pilates exercises in psoriatic arthritis patients with axial involvement.