Effects of Clinical Pilates Exercises on Symptoms, Posture, Balance and Quality of Life in GERD

NCT07573280 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: GERD-P 25-29
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 33
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized, single-blind, parallel-group clinical trial investigates whether a six-week supervised clinical Pilates exercise program improves reflux symptom severity, postural alignment, dynamic balance, sleep quality, depressive symptoms, anthropometric measures, and overall health-related quality of life in adults with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Participants attended 18 face-to-face sessions over 6 weeks (3 times/week) under physiotherapist supervision. Outcomes included reflux symptom scores (GERD-Q, FSSG), health-related quality of life (SF-36), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), depression (Beck Depression Inventory), postural alignment (PostureScreen Mobile), dynamic balance (Y-Balance Test), and anthropometric circumferences (chest, sub-sternal, waist).

Conditions

Pilates Exercise; Gastro Esophageal Reflux

Keywords

physiotherapy and rehabilitation; posture; pilates; Gastro Esophageal Reflux

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GERD-Q) total score

  Six-item self-report instrument measuring frequency of typical reflux symptoms over the past week; total score range 0-18, with higher scores indicating greater symptom burden and a cut-off of ≥8 suggesting high probability of GERD. Safety Issue: No.

  Baseline to Week 6

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) total score

  Baseline to Week 6

• Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) total score

  Baseline to Week 6

• Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score

  Baseline to Week 6

• Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) total score

  Baseline to Week 6

• Postural Alignment Parameters (PostureScreen Mobile)

  Baseline to Week 6

Study Arms (2)

No Intervention: Control Group (CG)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants continued their routine daily activities without any structured exercise intervention for the 6-week study period. Outcome measurements were performed at baseline and at week 6 using identical procedures and instruments as the Pilates group.

Other: Usual Daily Activity (No Exercise Intervention)

Experimental: Clinical Pilates Group (PG)

EXPERIMENTAL

Posture-focused clinical Pilates exercise program tailored for individuals with GERD. All exercises were performed in the standing position, avoiding anterior trunk flexion and direct abdominal compression to minimize intra-abdominal pressure. Sessions were held 3 times/week for 6 weeks (18 supervised face-to-face sessions). Each session contained a \~10-minute warm-up, a main phase of standing posture/balance Pilates exercises, and a 5-10-minute cool-down/stretching phase.

Other: Usual Daily Activity (No Exercise Intervention); Behavioral: Supervised Clinical Pilates Exercise Training

Interventions

Usual Daily Activity (No Exercise Intervention) OTHER

No supervised exercise; participants were instructed to maintain their usual physical activity pattern and lifestyle for 6 weeks. They received the same baseline and week-6 assessments as the experimental group.

Experimental: Clinical Pilates Group (PG); No Intervention: Control Group (CG)

Supervised Clinical Pilates Exercise Training BEHAVIORAL

18 face-to-face sessions over 6 weeks (3×/week); physiotherapist-led, posture-focused program performed exclusively in the standing position. Warm-up/cool-down: Cleopatra, upper-extremity PNF patterns, Toy Soldier, Corkscrew, Chest Stretch (10 reps each). Main phase: Tic-Toc Arm Float, Bow \& Arrow, Spine Twist, Footwork, Knee Lift \& Aeroplane, Plié - Second to First - Moving Balance, Balance, Balance Plié with Arms. Progression by repetitions (5 → 10) and active duration (5 s → 10 s → 15 s); one set per exercise; 30-second rest between sets. Sessions were timed at least 2 hours after meals or at least 30 minutes before eating to limit gastric distension.

Experimental: Clinical Pilates Group (PG)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-65 years.
• Clinically confirmed diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Self-reported GERD symptoms (heartburn, acid regurgitation, etc.) for at least 3 months prior to enrollment.
• Physiologically able to participate in low-to-moderate intensity exercise.
• Provision of written informed consent.
• Cognitive and psychosocial capacity to comply with the program.

You may not qualify if:

• History of upper gastrointestinal surgery (especially fundoplication).
• Achalasia or severe esophageal motility disorder.
• Endoscopic evidence of advanced esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, or esophageal stricture (complicated GERD).
• Active peptic ulcer disease or inflammatory bowel disease.
• Uncontrolled hypertension, coronary artery disease, or severe pulmonary disease.
• Severe musculoskeletal disorders (advanced scoliosis/kyphosis, acute disc herniation, severe osteoarthritis) or vestibular balance disorders.
• Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istinye University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istinye University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Gastroesophageal Reflux

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Esophageal Motility Disorders; Deglutition Disorders; Esophageal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Digestive System Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessments and data analyses were performed by a researcher blinded to group allocation.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: assistant professor, PhD

Model Details: Randomized Controlled Single-Blind Trial with parallel allocation

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 1, 2026
• First Posted: May 7, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 15, 2025
• Study Completion: June 25, 2025
• Last Updated: May 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

TU (1)