title: Effect of pilates training on people with fibromyalgia syndrome: a pilot study.
abstract: Altan L, Korkmaz N, Bingol U, Gunay B. Effect of Pilates training on people with fibromyalgia syndrome: a pilot study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of Pilates on pain, functional status, and quality of life in fibromyalgia, which is known to be a chronic musculoskeletal disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, prospective, controlled, and single-blind trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical medicine and rehabilitation department.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women (N=50) who had a diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants were randomly assigned into 2 groups. In group 1, a Pilates exercise program of 1 hour was given by a certified trainer to 25 participants 3 times a week for 12 weeks. In group 2, which was designed as the control group, 25 participants were given a home exercise (relaxation/stretching) program. In both groups, pre- (week 0) and posttreatment (week 12 and week 24) evaluation was performed by one of the authors, who was blind to the group allocation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary outcome measures were pain (visual analog scale) and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Exploratory outcome measures were number of tender points, algometric score, chair test, and Nottingham Health Profile.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five Pilates exercise and 24 relaxation/stretching exercise participants completed the study. In group 1, significant improvement was observed in both pain and FIQ at week 12 but only in FIQ at 24 weeks. In group 2, no significant improvement was obtained in pain and FIQ at week 12 and week 24. Comparison of the 2 groups showed significantly superior improvement in pain and FIQ in group 1 at week 12 but no difference between the 2 groups at week 24.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest Pilates as an effective and safe method for people with FMS. Our study is the first clinical study designed to investigate the role of the Pilates method in FMS treatment. We believe that further research with more participants and longer follow-up periods could help assess the therapeutic value of this popular physical exercise method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Uludag, Bursa, Turkey. lalealtan@uludag.edu.tr
authors.forename: Lale
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Altan
authors.forename: Nimet
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Korkmaz
authors.forename: Umit
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bingol
authors.forename: Berna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gunay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016037:Single-Blind Method