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Journals / Journal of Exercise Therapy and Rehabilitation / 2026 / Cilt: 13 Sayı: 2

Enhancing quality of life: the role of pilates in alleviating depression and anxiety among women: A randomized controlled trial

Yaşam kalitesinin artırılması: Pilatesin depresyon ve anksiyeteyi hafifletmede kadınlar üzerindeki rolü: Randomize kontrollü bir çalışma

Mohsen Akbarpour Beni(University of Tehran)
Mahdi Fahimi(University of Qom)0000-0002-6581-1125
Bahare Mirzarezaei(Leiden University)
Pages
101–113
Publication Date
2026-07-31
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

This study investigates the effects of Pilates exercises on depression, anxiety, and overall well-being in women over 50 years of age experiencing depression.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Purpose: Depression and anxiety are among the most prevalent mental health disorders, significantly impairing individuals' quality of life.
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Key Findings & Data:This study investigates the effects of Pilates exercises on depression, anxiety, and overall well-being in women over 50 years of age experiencing depression.
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Conclusion & Impact:These findings suggest that Pilates exercises may serve as an effective intervention for reducing depression and enhancing the quality of life in women suffering from depression.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Anksiyete · Depresyon · Yaşam kalitesi

Abstract

Purpose: Depression and anxiety are among the most prevalent mental health disorders, significantly impairing individuals' quality of life. This study investigates the effects of Pilates exercises on depression, anxiety, and overall well-being in women over 50 years of age experiencing depression. Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted, involving 60 women diagnosed with depression by a psychiatrist. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=30), which engaged in 60-minute Pilates sessions three times weekly for eight weeks, or a control group (n=30), which maintained their usual routines. Depression, anxiety, and quality of life were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Questionnaire (BAQ), and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), respectively. ANOVA analysis was employed for data analysis. Results: Results indicated that Pilates training significantly reduced depression (p=0.001) and improved both physical and mental aspects of quality of life (p=0.002). However, no significant effect was observed on anxiety levels (p=0.051). Conclusion: A significant inverse relationship was found between anxiety and quality of life, as well as a direct correlation between depression and anxiety. These findings suggest that Pilates exercises may serve as an effective intervention for reducing depression and enhancing the quality of life in women suffering from depression.

Özet

Amaç: Depresyon ve anksiyete, bireylerin yaşam kalitesini önemli ölçüde düşüren, en yaygın görülen ruh sağlığı bozuklukları arasındadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, depresyon yaşayan 50 yaş üstü kadınlarda Pilates egzersizlerinin depresyon, anksiyete ve genel refah düzeyi üzerindeki etkilerini araştırmaktadı. Yöntem: Bir psikiyatr tarafından depresyon tanısı konmuş 60 kadının katılımıyla randomize kontrollü bir çalışma (RKT) yürütülmüştür. Katılımcılar, sekiz hafta boyunca haftada üç kez 60 dakikalık Pilates seanslarına katılan bir deney grubu (n=30) veya normal rutinlerini sürdüren bir kontrol grubu (n=30) olarak rastgele atandı. Depresyon, anksiyete ve yaşam kalitesi sırasıyla Beck Depresyon Envanteri (BDE), Beck Anksiyete Ölçeği (BAÖ) ve Kısa Form-36 (SF-36) Sağlık Anketi kullanılarak değerlendirildi. Veri analizi için ANOVA analizi kullanıldı. Bulgular: Sonuçlar, Pilates eğitiminin depresyonu önemli ölçüde azalttığını (p=0,001) ve yaşam kalitesinin hem fiziksel hem de zihinsel boyutlarını iyileştirdiğini (p=0,002) göstermiştir. Ancak, anksiyete düzeyleri üzerinde anlamlı bir etki gözlemlenmedi (p=0,051). Sonuç: Anksiyete ile yaşam kalitesi arasında anlamlı bir ters ilişki ve ayrıca depresyon ile anksiyete arasında doğrudan bir ilişki bulundu. Bu bulgular, Pilates egzersizlerinin, depresyonu azaltmak ve yaşam kalitesini artırmak için etkili bir müdahale yöntemi olabileceğini düşündürmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Beni, M. A., Fahimi, M., Mirzarezaei, B. (2026). Enhancing quality of life: the role of pilates in alleviating depression and anxiety among women: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Exercise Therapy and Rehabilitation, Cilt: 13 Sayı: 2, 101–113. https://doi.org/10.15437/jetr.1733896

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