Research Impact: Evidence regarding physical benefits of non-traditional exercise modes is growing, but comparatively less evidence is available for mental health benefits of non-traditional exercise modes, particularly Pilates. Thus, this meta-analysis included eight articles published prior to August 2017 that included allocation to Pilates or non-active control and a measure of anxiety and/or depressive symptoms at baseline and after Pilates in order to estimate the population effect size for Pilates effects on mental health outcomes. Pilates resulted in significant, large heterogeneous reductions in depressive (Δ=1.27) and anxiety (Δ=1.29) symptoms and feelings of fatigue (Δ=0.93), and increases in feelings of energy (Δ=1.49).
Fleming K, Herring MP (2018). The effects of Pilates on mental health outcomes: A meta-analysis of controlled trials. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 37:80-95. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.02.003. (IF: 2.013; C=0; Q2 Integrative & Complementary Medicine; R=8/26)
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