Pilates training improves pain and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia syndrome

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is still lack of evidence that supports Pilates training in women with fibromyalgia syndrome. Hence, the aim of the present study was to assess the effects of Pilates on pain, quality of life, depression and anxiety in women with fibromyalgia syndrome. METHODS: Twenty female volunteers diagnosed with fibromyalgia took part on this study. Thirteen women were assigned for the treatment group and seven, for the control group. All 20 patients were evaluated before and immediately after 8 weeks. Along with the anamnesis, volunteers were assessed for the 18 tender points described by the American College of Rheumatology, for number of painful regions, pain intensity with the visual analogue scale, quality of life with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, for depression with the Beck Depression Inventory and for anxiety with the Beck Anxiety Inventory. The treated group underwent a 1-hour Pilates session twice a week for 8 weeks. The control group remained with prior treatment interventions and therapies unchanged. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvement was observed in pain intensity and number of painful regions (p<0.05) in the treated group, whereas no statistical differences were found in other variables (p>0.05) or for the control group (p>0.05). Strong correlations were found mostly between number of active tender points and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (r>0.8, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results support Pilates as a safe physical therapy resource in improving pain for fibromyalgia patients.