Randomised trial, 2026
Does clinical Pilates reduce PMS symptoms and improve physical fitness?
Yes. Eight weeks of clinical Pilates, done twice weekly, significantly reduced PMS symptoms and improved fitness, core strength, and reduced fear of movement in women with PMS.
What they did
RCT with 40 women with PMS divided into 2 groups of 20. The exercise group did supervised clinical Pilates twice weekly for 8 weeks. The control group received general wellness advice only. Both groups were measured before and after.
What they found
The Pilates group had significant improvements in body composition, functional capacity, core endurance, PMS severity, and fear of movement (p<0.05). Flexibility improved in both groups but more in the Pilates group (p<0.001).
What it means for you
Clinical Pilates is an effective non-drug treatment for PMS. The study is small and lasted only 8 weeks, so we don't know if benefits continue afterward or how much ongoing Pilates is needed.
40 women
studied
8 weeks
intervention duration
twice weekly
session frequency
About the study
- Original title
- Effects of clinical pilates on physical fitness, premenstrual symptoms, and kinesiophobia: a randomized controlled trial
- Authors
- Songül Öztürk, Meltem Kaya
- Journal
- The Annals of Clinical and Analytical Medicine
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 20
- What was tested
- Clinical Pilates twice weekly for 8 weeks
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.4328/acam.22851
Topics
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