Multiple SclerosisNCT06931522
Effects of Mat and Reformer Pilates in Multiple Sclerosis
A study testing Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates in people with Multiple Sclerosis, run by Gazi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
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). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Multiple Sclerosis
- What is being tested?
- Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 10 Jun 2025to 10 Feb 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Mat and Reformer Pilates Training on Postural Adjustments, Balance, and Walking in Patients With 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).
Read more
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.
- Conditions
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Being tested
- Mat Pilates, Reformer Pilates
- Keywords
- Multiple Sclerosis, balance, Pilates, gait
- Medical subject headings
- Multiple Sclerosis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Mat PilatesOther
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 PilatesOther
In the Reformer Pilates group, the difficulty level of the exercises will be provided by different positions, and the springs' resistance will be increased.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mat Pilates | Experimental | 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. Receives: Other: Mat Pilates |
| Reformer Pilates | Experimental | In the Reformer Pilates group, the difficulty level of the exercises will be provided by different positions, and the springs' resistance will be increased. Receives: Other: Reformer Pilates |
| Control group | No intervention | The control group will perform the relaxing exercise at home. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Anticipatory postural adjustments (APA)
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.
Measured: 8 weeks
Postural stability
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.
Measured: 8 weeks
Gait Parameters
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.
Measured: 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
Mobility
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.
Measured: 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Apr 2025
- Study start10 Jun 2025
- Primary completion23 Jan 2026
- Study completion10 Feb 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Multiple SclerosisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Gazi UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Gazi University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Cagla Ozkul, Gazi University
- Investigators
- Cagla Ozkul, PhD, Principal investigator, Gazi University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06931522
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2023 - 960
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 21 Mar 2025
- Last updated
- 30 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Rodriguez-Fuentes G, Silveira-Pereira L, Ferradans-Rodriguez P, Campo-Prieto P. Therapeutic Effects of the Pilates Method in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med. 2022 Jan 28;11(3):683. doi: 10.3390/jcm11030683.
PubMed 35160134Massot C, Simoneau-Buessinger E, Agnani O, Donze C, Leteneur S. Anticipatory postural adjustment during gait initiation in multiple sclerosis patients: A systematic review. Gait Posture. 2019 Sep;73:180-188. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.07.253. Epub 2019 Jul 19.
PubMed 31344607Sever J, Babic J, Kozinc Z, Sarabon N. Postural Responses to Sudden Horizontal Perturbations in Tai Chi Practitioners. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Mar 7;18(5):2692. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18052692.
PubMed 33800052Bulguroglu I, Guclu-Gunduz A, Yazici G, Ozkul C, Irkec C, Nazliel B, Batur-Caglayan HZ. The effects of Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates in patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A randomized controlled study. NeuroRehabilitation. 2017;41(2):413-422. doi: 10.3233/NRE-162121.
PubMed 28946576
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Mat and Reformer Pilates Training on Postural Adjustments, Balance, and Walking in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06931522
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2023 - 960
- Conditions
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Keywords
- Multiple Sclerosis, balance, Pilates, gait
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Gazi UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 23 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Feb 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mat Pilates | Experimental | Other: Mat PilatesIn 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 | Experimental | Other: Reformer PilatesIn the Reformer Pilates group, the difficulty level of the exercises will be provided by different positions, and the springs' resistance will be increased. |
| Control group | No intervention | –The control group will perform the relaxing exercise at home. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Mat PilatesIn 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. | Other | Mat Pilates |
| Reformer PilatesIn the Reformer Pilates group, the difficulty level of the exercises will be provided by different positions, and the springs' resistance will be increased. | Other | Reformer Pilates |
Primary outcome
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.
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.
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.
1 secondary outcome
Mobility
Time frame: 8 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Mar 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 35160134Rodriguez-Fuentes G, Silveira-Pereira L, Ferradans-Rodriguez P, Campo-Prieto P. Therapeutic Effects of the Pilates Method in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med. 2022 Jan 28;11(3):683. doi: 10.3390/jcm11030683.
- Results publication: PubMed 31344607Massot C, Simoneau-Buessinger E, Agnani O, Donze C, Leteneur S. Anticipatory postural adjustment during gait initiation in multiple sclerosis patients: A systematic review. Gait Posture. 2019 Sep;73:180-188. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.07.253. Epub 2019 Jul 19.
- Results publication: PubMed 33800052Sever J, Babic J, Kozinc Z, Sarabon N. Postural Responses to Sudden Horizontal Perturbations in Tai Chi Practitioners. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Mar 7;18(5):2692. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18052692.
- Results publication: PubMed 28946576Bulguroglu I, Guclu-Gunduz A, Yazici G, Ozkul C, Irkec C, Nazliel B, Batur-Caglayan HZ. The effects of Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates in patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A randomized controlled study. NeuroRehabilitation. 2017;41(2):413-422. doi: 10.3233/NRE-162121.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Cagla Ozkul, PhD principal investigator
Gazi University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates in people with Multiple Sclerosis, run by Gazi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Anticipatory postural adjustments (APA) (time frame: 8 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06931522, which also lists 4 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Mar 2026.