Exercise and Movement Interventions in the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Pain

A special issue of Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (ISSN 2411-5142). This special issue belongs to the section "Physical Exercise for Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 1361

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, Poland
Interests: low back pain; kinesitherapy; musculoskeletal disorder; manual therapy; pelvic floor; core stability; tactile acuity; kinesiophobia
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chronic pain, defined as pain that persists for at least three months and exceeds the normal healing time for tissues, is a growing social and economic problem. It is estimated to affect between 10% and over 20% of adults, representing a significant part of the world’s population. The prevalence of chronic pain increases with age, affecting up to 78% of the elderly population aged over 65 years.

Chronic pain treatment is multimodal, encompassing pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and, in some cases, even invasive procedures. Physical exercise and movement therapy are primarily used to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain, but their role in the treatment of other forms of chronic pain is unclear. The preventive potential of physical activity in counteracting the development of chronic pain conditions is not fully understood. Given the current state of knowledge regarding conservative therapy for chronic pain, we are eager to hear the opinions of a wide range of specialists with practical and theoretical expertise in this area. We encourage submissions evaluating the therapeutic effects of various forms of exercise used in chronic pain therapy. Papers describing the mechanisms of action of various forms of exercise, therapeutic protocols, preventive programs, methodological assumptions of health-related training, and the results of experimental studies analyzing the influence of the mechanism of movement on nociceptive inhibition are also welcome.

We encourage specialists in physiotherapy, rehabilitation, kinesiology, and other related fields to submit original research papers, systematic and narrative reviews, and case reports related to the topics covered in this Special Issue of JFMK.

Prof. Dr. Edward Saulicz
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • chronic pain
  • pain management
  • exercise therapy in chronic pain management
  • physical therapy in chronic pain management
  • rehabilitation in chronic pain management
  • the role of physical activity in the biopsychosocial model of chronic pain management
  • the role of physical activity in cognitive behavioral therapy
  • physical activity and central mechanisms of pain sensitization
  • the influence of physical activity on the prevention of anxiety-related behaviors in chronic pain
  • exercise therapy as a prevention of kinesiophobia in chronic pain

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 546 KB  
Article
Impact of 8-Week Pilates Program on Lumbar Flexion–Relaxation Dynamics and Functional Outcomes in Women with Chronic Low Back Pain
by Ana Ferri-Caruana, Lluís Raimon Salazar-Bonet, Marco Romagnoli and Walter Staiano
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2026, 11(1), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk11010085 - 20 Feb 2026
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Abstract
Objectives: While Pilates exercise is commonly prescribed for chronic low back pain (CLBP), its effect on normalizing the lumbar flexion–relaxation ratio (FRR) remains unclear. This trial examined whether an 8-week Pilates exercise program (PEP) modifies FRR magnitude and side-to-side asymmetry in women with [...] Read more.
Objectives: While Pilates exercise is commonly prescribed for chronic low back pain (CLBP), its effect on normalizing the lumbar flexion–relaxation ratio (FRR) remains unclear. This trial examined whether an 8-week Pilates exercise program (PEP) modifies FRR magnitude and side-to-side asymmetry in women with CLBP and explored associations with trunk kinematics, pain, and functional capacity. Methods: In a randomized controlled pre-test–post-test training design, ninety-six women with CLBP (55.8 ± 5.4 y) were allocated to a PEP group (n = 49) or a usual-care control group (n = 47). The PEP included two supervised 60-minute mat sessions per week over eight weeks. Surface electromyography of the right and left erector spinae and trunk flexion range of motion (TFRoM), measured via inertial sensors, were recorded during the standardized flexion–extension task pre- and post-intervention. Pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale) and functional capacity (Low Back Outcome Score, LBOS) were assessed concurrently. Results: Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed no group × time interaction for global FRR (p = 0.454) or TFRoM (p = 0.745). FRR asymmetry increased by 11% in the PEP group (p = 0.033), with no change observed in the controls (p = 0.143). Compared to the controls, the PEP group exhibited a 30% reduction in pain (p = 0.003) and a 13.4% improvement in LBOS (p < 0.001) compared to the control group (all ps > 0.228). Conclusions: An 8-week Pilates intervention reduces pain and improves functional capacity in women with CLBP but does not restore lumbar extensor relaxation. The observed increase in FRR asymmetry may reflect compensatory or maladaptive redistribution. Full article
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