Effect of Pilates Exercises on Menopausal Symptoms

NCT ID: NCT06996743

Last Updated: 2025-05-30

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 45 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-09-05
• Study Completion Date: 2025-03-20

Brief Summary

Menopause, a significant transition in a woman's life characterized by the cessation of menstruation and a decline in ovarian function, leads to reduced levels of estrogen and progesterone. This hormonal shift is associated with a range of symptoms that can adversely affect women's quality of life, including vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, psychological symptoms like mood swings and depression, as well as urogenital symptoms such as vaginal dryness and sexual dysfunction. These symptoms, collectively referred to as menopausal symptoms, can vary in severity and duration and frequently require intervention to alleviate their impact on daily life.

Detailed Description

The aim of our study was to determine the effect of pilates exercises on menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal obesity and to compare it with the control group. The study was designed as a single-blind randomized controlled trial. 45 obese individuals in the postmenopausal period were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into 3 groups and a total of 16 treatment sessions were applied to both groups for 8 weeks, 2 days a week. No exercise intervention was applied to the control group. Reformer Pilates exercises were applied to Group 1, and mat Pilates exercises were applied to Group 2. A physical activity-based brochure including lifestyle changes was distributed to Group 3. A total of two evaluations were made before and after exercise. In the evaluation, the Menopausal Symptoms RatingScale (MRS) for menopausal symptoms, the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Assessment Scale (MENQOL) for quality of life assessment, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depression, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for assessing sleep quality, the Six-Minute Walking Test (6 MWT) for assessing aerobic capacity, the Body Analysis Scale (TANITA) for assessing body composition, and laboratory analyses of blood samples taken for assessing blood lipid profile were used. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the data.

Conditions

Menopausal; Obese Patients; Pilates Exercise; Quality of Life and Menopause

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

reformer pilates group

It was done by a specialist physiotherapist on a Pilates reformer device, and the exercises lasted approximately 60 minutes. The exercise content consists of strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, and warm-up and cool-down exercises.

The program was updated with the addition of a new exercise type every two weeks.

The repetition numbers were updated to 8 repetitions in the first two weeks, 10 repetitions in the third and fourth weeks, and 12 repetitions in the last four weeks.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

reformer pilates group

Intervention Type: OTHER

Reformer Pilates exercises were applied to the pilates group twice a week for a total of 8 weeks.

2- Mat pilates group

The special exercises in the reformer pilates program were applied as structured mat pilates. First, the exercises to be done by the physiotherapist were taught. Then, an illustrated brochure with the exercises was prepared by the expert physiotherapist and distributed to the participants in this group. In order for the exercise to be done correctly and effectively, a video shot by the expert physiotherapist was sent to the patients in addition to the brochure. Each exercise was explained in detail in the video and the tricks were mentioned. The patient did the exercises at home. Online control was provided via smartphone once a week and the exercises were done under the observation of the expert physiotherapist during the online interview. The exercise follow-up chart was filled out regularly twice every week. The exercise duration lasted approximately 60 minutes. The program was updated with the addition of a new exercise type every two weeks and continued in its fixed form for the

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Mat pilates group

Intervention Type: OTHER

Mat Pilates exercises were applied to the pilates group twice a week for a total of 8 weeks.

3- Lifestyle change group

After the doctor's check-up, routine application continued. The patient was informed about physical activity. In addition; a physical activity-based brochure prepared by the Specialist Physiotherapist was distributed to the participants in this group. The brochure included methods for coping with menopause and lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Lifestyle change group

Intervention Type: OTHER

After the doctor's check-up, routine application continued. The patient was informed about physical activity. In addition; a physical activity-based brochure prepared by the Specialist Physiotherapist was distributed to the participants in this group.

Interventions

reformer pilates group

Reformer Pilates exercises were applied to the pilates group twice a week for a total of 8 weeks.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Mat pilates group

Mat Pilates exercises were applied to the pilates group twice a week for a total of 8 weeks.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Lifestyle change group

After the doctor's check-up, routine application continued. The patient was informed about physical activity. In addition; a physical activity-based brochure prepared by the Specialist Physiotherapist was distributed to the participants in this group.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Women who have entered menopause
• Being diagnosed with obesity (30 kg/m2 ≤ BMI ≤ 40 kg/m2 )
• Having the physical or cognitive ability to exercise
• Being sedentary ('International Physical Activity Questionnaire' will be used. Those in the Inactive Category group will be included.)
• Those who agree to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

• BMI below 30
• Those with serious heart disease, DM, kidney, liver, thyroid disease and cancer
• Those receiving hormone therapy
• Those using antipsychotic drugs
• Those using steroids and derivatives
• Those using insulin-sensitizing drugs
• Those with musculoskeletal diseases that will prevent exercise • Cognitive problems that will affect cooperation

• Minimum Eligible Age: 45 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Batman University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

merve yiğit kocamer

lecturer

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Merve YİĞİT KOCAMER MERVE

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Batman University

Locations

Batman Center

Batman, Gültepe, Turkey (Türkiye)

Batman

Batman, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

BU-FTR-MYK-01

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id