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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06931522

Effects of Mat and Reformer Pilates in Multiple Sclerosis

Our study aims to investigate the effects of core stability-based Mat Pilates and Equipment-Based Pilates training on anticipatory postural adjustments (APA), balance, and gait in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Participants diagnosed with MS will be randomly assigned to Mat Pilates, Equipment-Based Pilates, or a control group. Both Pilates programs will be conducted twice a week for eight weeks.

Assessments will be conducted before and after the training period. Anticipatory postural adjustments (APA) will be evaluated using electromyography (EMG) electrodes placed on the Erector Spinae and Tibialis Anterior muscles while participants take a step. Biomechanical responses related to APAs, specifically center of pressure displacement, will be measured using a force platform (Biodex® BioSway).

Core endurance will be assessed using the lateral bridge test, Modified Biering-Sorensen test, trunk flexion test, and prone bridge test, while core strength will be evaluated through sit-ups and push-ups. Balance will be measured using posturography. The Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale will assess confidence in performing daily activities requiring balance. Functional mobility will be evaluated using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Spatiotemporal gait parameters and variability will be analyzed with the BTS® G-WALK system. The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQOL-54) will assess quality of life.

This study is unique in that, unlike previous Pilates studies, it will be the first to examine the effects of different Pilates methods on APAs, which are crucial for both locomotor activities and postural stability in individuals with MS. Additionally, it will be the first study to evaluate two commonly used Pilates techniques in terms of their impact on balance and gait.

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Key information

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis Autoimmune Diseases Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS Demyelinating Diseases Immune System Diseases Nervous System Diseases

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Gazi University

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis by a specialist physician
  • Having a disability level between 0-4.5 according to the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)
  • Being between the ages of 18-65
  • Not having had an attack in the last 3 months
  • Mini-Mental Test score > 25

Exclusion criteria

  • Having another neurological disorder
  • Having orthopedic, cardiovascular, and pulmonary problems that may affect the research results
  • Having vision, hearing, and perception problems
  • Having a disease that may affect the immune system, such as infection, cancer

Treatment and study plan

mat pilates

Other

In Mat Pilates training, exercise balls and elastic bands will be used. The exercises will be done with 10 repetitions for the first 4 weeks, and with 20 repetitions for the last 4 weeks. The difficulty level of the exercises will be increased in the following weeks according to the patient's condition.

reformer pilates

Other

In the Reformer Pilates group, the difficulty level of the exercises will be provided by different positions, and the springs' resistance will be increased.

Primary outcomes

  1. Anticipatory postural adjustments (APA)

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    Data will be collected using an EMG-IMU system (Trigno Avanti, Delsys), with an accelerometer detecting perturbation onset and EMG recording tibialis anterior activity (1000 Hz, 16-bit; SENIAM placement).

    Participants will stand barefoot on a force platform (feet shoulder-width apart) while perturbations are applied via a 4-kg pendulum. They will receive impacts with both hands at shoulder level and maintain balance. Three trials will be performed.

    EMG signals will be rectified, low-pass filtered (100 Hz), and analyzed from -600 to +500 ms around perturbation onset (T0). APAs (-100 to +50 ms) will be baseline-corrected and normalized, with mean values used for analysis.

    CoP data will be recorded during 30-s trials with perturbation at 15 s. CoP ellipse area will be calculated, and the mean of three trials will be analyzed.

  2. Postural stability

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    Postural stability will be assessed using a force plate (K-Force, K-Invent), a validated and reliable tool for CoP analysis. Measurements will be taken under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions, each lasting 30 seconds and repeated three times, with 10-second rests between trials and a 1-minute break between conditions.

    The primary outcome will be CoP ellipse area (mm²), representing postural sway. Mean values from the three trials for each condition will be used for analysis.

  3. Gait Parameters

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    Spatiotemporal gait parameters will be assessed using a wearable inertial sensor system (G-Walk, BTS Bioengineering, Italy). Participants will walk a 10-m distance at a self-selected comfortable speed in three trials. Acceleration data will be sampled at 100 Hz and transmitted via Bluetooth to G-Studio software for analysis.

    Measured parameters will include gait velocity, cadence, stride length, gait cycle duration, and double support time (% of gait cycle). The mean of the three trials will be used for statistical analysis.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Mobility

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    Functional mobility will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, a reliable and valid clinical measure. Participants will stand up from a chair, walk 3 m, turn, return, and sit down. After one familiarization trial, three trials will be recorded, and the mean value will be used for analysis.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Gazi University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Mat and Reformer Pilates Training on Postural Adjustments, Balance, and Walking in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Apr 17, 2025
Registry last updated
Mar 30, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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