Pilates trial found less pain during breast cancer hormone therapy
Pain severity improved, while the overall anxiety difference reflected worsening in controls. Depressive symptoms did not improve significantly.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
In this small trial, pain severity decreased in the Pilates group. The overall anxiety result reflected an increase in anxiety among controls, rather than a reported overall reduction with Pilates. Analyses among aromatase inhibitor users found reductions in pain and anxiety with Pilates, but depressive symptoms did not significantly improve.
This abstract-based account is limited by the small sample and missing results for pain interference, despite its inclusion among the outcomes. Subgroup findings do not establish that effects differ between hormone therapies.
What researchers found
Pain severity
Pilates versus control, baseline to 24 weeks: changes differed significantly between groups, with pain severity decreasing in the Pilates group. The abstract does not clearly define its reported change estimate.
How change was assessed
Researchers assessed pain and emotional symptoms before and after the supervised program using standardized questionnaires. The reported group-by-time findings describe how outcomes changed differently between groups, rather than simply comparing scores at the end.
Reading the subgroup results
Results within aromatase inhibitor users help describe that subgroup, but the abstract does not report a direct test establishing a different response from tamoxifen users. Statistical significance within a subgroup is insufficient for that claim.
The original publication
The effects of 24 Weeks of mat pilates on pain, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in breast cancer survivors undergoing hormone therapy: A randomized controlled trial.
Bertoli J, Bertuol C, Ferreira Monteiro R et al.
Eur J Oncol Nurs · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41616490
- Record checked
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