Comparing the Efficacy of Core Stability Exercises and Pilates in Fibromyalgia Management: A Randomized Controlled Trial

November 25, 2025 updated by: Hanan Hosny M Battesha, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan
Pilates and core stability exercises have emerged as potential interventions for Fibromyalgia (FM) , both targeting muscle strength, flexibility, and posture. However, existing studies have primarily relied on subjective self-report measures to assess outcomes. This study aims to employ more objective assessments, including biomechanical and functional measures, to compare the efficacy of core stability exercises and Pilates in improving symptoms of FM.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

30

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Jordan
      • Amman, Jordan
        • Al Zaytoonah University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Female participants aged 35-65 years
  • Diagnosed with fibromyalgia based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010 criteria
  • Able to walk independently
  • Stable medication for at least 3 months prior to participation

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnant women
  • History of significant orthopedic, cardiopulmonary, or neurological conditions
  • Severe psychiatric disorders that interfere with participation
  • Active substance abuse

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Core Stability Exercises
Participants will engage in core stability exercises targeting the muscles of the trunk and pelvis, such as pelvic tilting, abdominal crunches, back extension, side bridges, and bird dog. These exercises will be performed twice a week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting 30 minutes. The intensity will be progressively increased based on individual tolerance.
Other: Core Stability Exercises
Participants will engage in core stability exercises targeting the muscles of the trunk and pelvis, such as pelvic tilting, abdominal crunches, back extension, side bridges, and bird dog. These exercises will be performed twice a week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting 30 minutes. The intensity will be progressively increased based on individual tolerance.
Experimental: Pilates:
- Participants will undergo Pilates sessions that emphasize flexibility, posture, and core engagement. Pilates exercises will be performed twice a week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting 30 minutes. The focus will be on breathing, spinal alignment, and strengthening exercises that challenge flexibility and balance.
Other: Pilates:
Participants will undergo Pilates sessions that emphasize flexibility, posture, and core engagement. Pilates exercises will be performed twice a week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting 30 minutes. The focus will be on breathing, spinal alignment, and strengthening exercises that challenge flexibility and balance.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
pain by Quantitative Sensory Testing
Time Frame: 6 weeks
10 the best results
6 weeks
Functional Status: Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)
Time Frame: 6 weeks
100 score tha best results
6 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Balance and Posture: Force Plate Balance Testing
Time Frame: 6 weeks
6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

September 15, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

October 15, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

October 25, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 15, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 15, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

July 22, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

November 26, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 25, 2025

Last Verified

November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Fibromyalgia (Alias Study Number)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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