STABLE Pilates for Hypermobility

Purpose

This study is looking at whether Pilates-based exercise can help with hypermobility-related symptoms, like pain.

Conditions

  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
  • Hypermobile EDS (hEDS)
  • Hypermobile Spectrum Disorder

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • ≥ 18 years old; - Self-reported hypermobility with confirmed or suspected diagnosis of hEDS/HSD; - Self-reported persistent pain ≥ 3 months; - A minimum of 3/10 self-reported pain intensity in the past week - Able to get on and off the floor without assistance; - Able to communicate fluently in English; and - Able to provide written, informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

  • Regular ongoing mind-body practice (e.g. Tai chi, yoga, pilates) defined as a regular weekly practice of at least 20min/week over the past 6 months; - Recent surgery or acute bone, joint or nerve injury (<6 months); - Have a history of a severe or progressive neurological or movement disorder; - Pregnant, planning to become pregnant during the study, or currently breast feeding; - Unable to get on and off the floor without assistance; - Unable to complete study procedures due to cognitive impairment; - Unable to provide written, informed consent; or - Currently participating in or planning to participate in another physical activity, mind-body or pain-related intervention research study in the next 4 months.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Pilates
6 weeks of once weekly in-person Pilates-based exercise classes
  • Behavioral: Pilates
    Pilates is a gentle mind-body exercise with an emphasis on muscular control, postural awareness, and breathing that may be particularly well-suited for managing hypermobility. Exercises are mostly floor-based and focus on developing muscular strength and stability which may improve pain and symptom management
Active Comparator
Enhanced Usual Care
6 weeks of once weekly educational seminars pertaining to hypermobility symptom management
  • Behavioral: Education
    Educational seminars pertaining to hypermobility symptom management

Recruiting Locations

Brigham and Women's Hospital
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 01467
Contact:
Samantha M Meints
6177329014
smeints@bwh.harvard.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Brigham and Women's Hospital

Study Contact

Stephanie Voss, PhD
6177329181
svoss2@bwh.harvard.edu

Detailed Description

In this study, investigators are looking at whether 6 weeks of Pilates-based exercise led by a licensed physical therapist can help with hypermobility-related symptoms, like pain. Pilates is a gentle mind-body exercise with an emphasis on muscular control, postural awareness, and breathing that may be particularly well-suited for managing hypermobility. Exercises are mostly floor-based and focus on developing muscular strength and stability which may improve pain and symptom management.