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Randomised trial, 2025

Does video-based Pilates exercise reduce PMS symptoms, stress, and pain?

Pilates exercise significantly reduced stress and pain severity. However, when comparing the two groups, the overall PMS symptom improvement was not statistically different.

Moderate study design 46 women with PMS

What they did

Randomized controlled trial with 46 women with PMS. The intervention group did Pilates exercises via video twice a week for 8 weeks. The control group did no regular exercise during that time. PMS symptoms, stress, and pain were measured at the start and end of the study.

What they found

Within the Pilates group, all measures improved significantly (PMS symptoms, stress, and pain, p < 0.05). When comparing the two groups at the end, stress and pain were significantly lower in the Pilates group (p < 0.05), but overall PMS symptom scores were not significantly different between groups (p > 0.05).

What it means for you

Pilates appears to help reduce stress and pain in women with PMS, which are important parts of the condition. A self-guided video-based exercise program at home could be practical and time-efficient. The limitation: unclear why PMS symptoms improved within the Pilates group but not significantly between groups.

46

Sample size

Twice weekly

Frequency

8 weeks

Duration

About the study

Original title
Effect of video-based exercise on premenstrual symptoms: a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Aykut Ş, Şevgin Ö
Journal
Ginekologia polska
Year
2025
Study design
Randomised trial
What was tested
Video-based Pilates exercises twice weekly for 8 weeks
Open access
Yes

Topics