Feasibility of pilates for pregnant women: A randomised trial

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and preliminary effects of Pilates exercises in primigravida women. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled feasibility trial. Setting: Community Pilates classes. Participants: Low-risk pregnant women. Interventions: Pregnant women were randomly assigned to Pilates exercises (experimental) group for 6 consecutive weeks or usual antenatal care, the control group. Main outcomes: The primary outcome was feasibility of Pilates classes. Secondary outcomes included quality of life, pain, and mobility. Results: 21 women were recruited to the trial. Eleven were randomly allocated to the experimental group and 10 to the control group. Retention of participants was excellent for the Pilates group (100%) compared to 70% in the control group. There were no adverse events. The Pilates group showed greater gains in quality of life on the SF-12 from the pre-test (M = 81.0, SD = 11.8) to the post-test (M = 83.3, SD = 8.52) compared to the control group (pre-test M = 69.78, SD = 15.9) (post-test M = 68.1, SD = 16.05) (Wald Chi-Square = 5.597, p = 0.018). Although the duration of labour was shorter in the Pilates group (Mdn = 215, IQR: 279 min) than usual care (Mdn = 458.5, IQR: 305 min), the difference was not statistically significant. There were no significant differences between groups for pain, mobility, abdominal separation, urinary continence, analgesia, or the mode of birth. Conclusions: Modified Pilates appears feasible and safe for low-risk pregnant women. Further research is needed in on this topic.