The effects of pilates exercise on depression and sleep quality in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Background: In recent years, Pilates has become widely popular due to its distinctive training methods, drawing substantial public interest. Studies have shown that Pilates positively influences the alleviation of depressive symptoms and the enhancement of sleep quality among adults. Yet, there has been no systematic review of these findings. Thus, this research aims to assess the effects of Pilates on adult depression and sleep quality through a comprehensive review and meta-analysis, aiming to underpin exercise prescription with solid evidence. Methods: We conducted a thorough search across five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examine the impacts of Pilates on adult depression and sleep quality, including studies up to September 2024. The primary endpoints were changes in depression symptoms and sleep quality. We used Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 18 for statistical analysis, calculating effect sizes with standardized mean differences (SMD) and standard deviations (SD), with confidence intervals set at 95%. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk assessment tool. Results: This review included 19 studies with a total of 876 participants. All studies were deemed low risk. The meta-analysis demonstrated that Pilates training significantly reduces depression symptoms (SMD =-0.77; 95% CI: [-1.00,-0.53]; P<0.01) and improves sleep quality (SMD =-0.46; 95% CI: [-0.78,-0.14]; P<0.01).