Influence of the Practice of the Pilates Method on Pain Perception During Pregnancy: A Quasiexperimental Study

Abstract

Introduction

The physiologic changes associated with pregnancy often result in pain, impacting the quality of life. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent and manage this pain through appropriate health care, including guidance on physical exercise. One of the currently recommended interventions is the Pilates method. However, health care professionals caring for pregnant women must have the necessary knowledge, tools, and resources to advise their patients. This study aimed to examine the impact of Pilates method practice on pregnancy-related pain.

Methods

A quasiexperimental study was conducted in multiple primary care centers between November 2018 and December 2019. Participants (n = 107) self-selected to receive a Pilates program (experimental group; n = 38) or their usual care (control group; n = 69). The presence or absence of pelvic, dorsal, and abdominal pain was evaluated as an outcome measure. The results were compared after the intervention, using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate statistics. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NTC04431102).

Results

Pilates method practice was associated with decreased presence of pelvic pain (odds ratio [OR], 2.73; 95% CI, 1.18-4.51; P = .02) and abdominal pain (OR, 5.24; 95% CI, 2.23-12.35; P < .001). No statistically significant difference was found for the presence of dorsal pain.

Discussion

Pilates appears to be a promising tool for enhancing well-being during pregnancy by reducing pelvic and abdominal pain. It would be beneficial to involve other professionals trained in the Pilates method or, in the future, to train midwives to implement this intervention in birth and parenting programs within primary care.