Mat Pilates and aquatic aerobic exercises for women with fibromyalgia: a protocol for a randomised controlled blind study

Abstract

IntroductionPhysical exercises have been recommended to improve the overall well-being of patients with fibromyalgia, with the main objective of repairing the effects of lack of physical conditioning and of improving the symptoms, especially pain and fatigue. Although widely recommended and widely known, few studies support the use of Pilates as an effective method in improving the symptoms of the disease, comparing it with other well-founded exercise modalities. This protocol was developed to describe the design of a randomised controlled study with a blind evaluator that evaluates the effectiveness of mat Pilates, comparing it with aquatic aerobic exercises, in improving pain in women with fibromyalgia.MethodsSixty women aged 18–60 years with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, with a score of between 3 and 8 points on the Visual Analogue Scale for pain, and who sign the clear and informed consent form will be recruited according to the inclusion criteria. They will be randomised into one of the two intervention groups: (1) Pilates, to perform an exercise programme based on mat Pilates; and (2) aquatic exercise, to participate in a programme of aerobic exercises in the swimming pool. The protocol will correspond to 12 weeks of treatment, with both groups performing the exercises with supervision twice a week. The primary outcome will be pain (Visual Analogue Scale for pain). The secondary outcomes are to include impact related to the disease, functional capacity, sleep quality and overall quality of life. The evaluations will be performed at three points: at baseline and after 6 weeks and 12 weeks of treatment.Ethics and disseminationThis protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of FACISA/UFRN (number: 2.116.314). Data collection will begin after approval by the ethics committee. There will be prior contact with the women, at which time all the information about the study and the objectives will be presented, as well as resolution no 466/2012 of the National Health Council of Brazil for the year 2012, which provides guidelines and regulatory standards for research involving human beings. Participants must sign the informed consent form before the study begins.Trial registration numberNCT03149198.

Mat Pilates is as effective as aquatic aerobic exercise in treating women with fibromyalgia: a clinical, randomized and blind trial

“…This study was registered (Clinical-Trials.gov Identifier: --------------) and follows the TIDieR (Template for Intervention Description and Replication) checklist [28]. The study protocol and details of the exercise programs of the two groups were previously published [29].…”

Assessment of complementary and alternative medicine methods in the management of ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia syndrome

“…There was no superiority between the two groups [18]. Another randomized controlled trial comparing mat Pilates with aquatic aerobic exercise found that Pilates had a similar effect as aquatic aerobic exercise in FMS patients [19].…”

Uma nova visão para a abordagem da fibromialgia: métodos alternativos e complementares

“…Em adição a isso, a realização de exercícios físicos na piscina aquecida também demonstrou resultados positivos na melhora clínica da sintomatologia da fibromialgia, principalmente nas dores, além de melhora na fadiga e na severidade dos sintomas relatados pelos pacientes. Outro benefício importante demonstrado num estudo envolvendo a atividade física na água foi a diminuição no consumo de paracetamol pelos pacientes envolvidos na pesquisa, demonstrando um potencial importante nesse tipo de abordagem da doença (SILVA et al 2019;ZAMUNER et al, 2019;MAINDET et al, 2021).…”