Comparison of Pilates, Aerobic Exercise, and a Combined Program for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sam’s world view
Each month we hear from Sam Wood - she summarises the most recent articles published in the Pilates industry.
This 2021 randomized controlled trial evaluated and compared the effectiveness of three distinct exercise interventions for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management. Thirty patients with RA were evenly distributed among three intervention groups: Pilates-based exercise, aerobic training, or a combined protocol incorporating both modalities.
Each group exercised according to an eight-week intervention program. The Pilates group participated in 45-minute sessions three times weekly. The aerobic group performed 30-minute treadmill walking sessions three times weekly, with intensity calibrated to 60 to 80 percent of maximum heart rate. The combined intervention group participated in 30-minute aerobic sessions followed by a 15-minute rest period and subsequent 45-minute Pilates training three times weekly. The following measures were evaluated using validated assessment tools: fatigue, depression, aerobic capacity, pain perception, sleep quality, and overall quality of life.
Results revealed that the Pilates group experienced significant improvements in fatigue, depression, aerobic capacity, and quality-of-life metrics but only slight improvement (not statistically significant) in pain perception and sleep quality. Both the aerobic and combined intervention groups achieved significant improvements across all measured parameters except pain. Notably, statistical analysis found no significant differences in effectiveness between the three approaches.
The researchers concluded that Pilates exercises represent a safe, effective alternative to conventional aerobic training for RA patients, offering comparable therapeutic benefits. These findings suggest that integrating Pilates methodology into standard rehabilitation protocols for RA could enhance treatment outcomes and provide clinicians with additional evidence-based options for comprehensive patient care.
Reference List
Yentür, S.B., N. Ataş, M.A. Öztürk, and D. Oskay. 2021. “Comparison of the Effectiveness of Pilates Exercises, Aerobic Exercises, and Pilates With Aerobic Exercises in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.” Irish Journal of Medical Science 190 (3): 1027-1034.