Randomised trial, 2026
Does yoga or Pilates help manage PMS symptoms?
Yes, both yoga and Pilates reduced depression, anxiety, stress, and improved quality of life over 6 weeks, with yoga producing slightly larger improvements. However, this was a very small pilot study.
What they did
Randomly assigned 36 women to three groups of 12: yoga, Pilates, or control. The yoga and Pilates groups attended 45-minute sessions three times per week for six weeks. Researchers measured heart and lung function, depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life.
What they found
The yoga group showed significant improvements in blood pressure, heart rate, lung function, depression, anxiety, stress, and physical, psychological, and social quality of life. The Pilates group showed similar improvements in most measures. The control group showed smaller improvements. The yoga group had the greatest overall improvements.
What it means for you
Both yoga and Pilates may help with PMS symptoms and quality of life, with yoga appearing to produce somewhat larger benefits. However, this was a very small pilot study with only 12 women per group, so results may not apply broadly. Larger studies are needed.
36
women studied
12
women per group
6
weeks of yoga or Pilates, 3 sessions per week
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of yoga therapy and Pilates training in the management of premenstrual syndrome: A pilot randomised controlled trial
- Authors
- Manju Ranga, K. Dev
- Journal
- Comparative Exercise Physiology
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 12
- What was tested
- Yoga (45 minutes, 3 times per week for 6 weeks), Pilates (45 minutes, 3 times per week for 6 weeks), or control group
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1163/17552559-bja10081
Topics
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