Effects of Clinical Pilates on Physical and Psychosocial Outcomes in Individuals With Interstitial Lung Disease

February 6, 2026 updated by: Seda Karaca, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University

This study aims to investigate the effects of Clinical Pilates on physical and psychosocial outcomes in individuals with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Interstitial lung disease is a group of chronic conditions that affect lung tissue and can lead to breathing difficulties, reduced physical capacity, fatigue, and decreased quality of life.

In addition to medical treatment, exercise-based rehabilitation approaches may help individuals with ILD improve their physical function and overall well-being. Clinical Pilates is a structured exercise method that focuses on breathing control, posture, core stability, flexibility, and body awareness.

Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to either a Clinical Pilates group or a control group receiving standard care. The Clinical Pilates program will be delivered by a trained physiotherapist over several weeks through supervised sessions.

The main outcomes of this study include physical function, respiratory symptoms, quality of life, and psychological well-being. The results of this study are expected to provide evidence on whether Clinical Pilates can be an effective and safe supportive approach for pulmonary rehabilitation in individuals with interstitial lung disease.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Clinical Pilates as a supportive rehabilitation approach for individuals with interstitial lung disease (ILD). ILD is a group of chronic and progressive lung disorders characterized by impaired gas exchange, reduced lung compliance, and exercise intolerance. Individuals with ILD commonly experience dyspnea, fatigue, decreased physical capacity, and psychosocial difficulties, which negatively affect daily functioning and quality of life.

Although pharmacological treatment is essential for disease management, pulmonary rehabilitation has been increasingly recognized as an important component of comprehensive care in ILD. Exercise-based interventions may improve functional capacity, symptom perception, and psychological well-being. However, evidence regarding specific structured exercise methods such as Clinical Pilates in individuals with ILD remains limited.

Clinical Pilates is a physiotherapist-guided exercise approach that emphasizes controlled breathing, postural alignment, core stability, flexibility, and body awareness. The method aims to enhance movement efficiency, improve respiratory control, and support both physical and mental well-being. Due to its low-impact and adaptable nature, Clinical Pilates may be particularly suitable for individuals with chronic respiratory conditions.

In this randomized controlled study, eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either a Clinical Pilates intervention group or a control group receiving standard care. The intervention will consist of supervised Clinical Pilates sessions delivered by a trained physiotherapist over a predefined period. The exercises will be individually adapted according to participants' functional capacity and clinical status.

The primary outcomes of the study include physical function and respiratory symptoms. Secondary outcomes include quality of life, psychological well-being, and psychosocial functioning. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention period.

The results of this study are expected to contribute to the evidence base for pulmonary rehabilitation in ILD and to clarify whether Clinical Pilates can serve as a safe, feasible, and effective complementary intervention to improve both physical and psychosocial health in this population.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

58

Phase

  • Not Applicable

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
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults aged 18 to 75 years.
  • Clinically confirmed diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) by a physician.
  • Clinically stable condition (no acute exacerbation or hospitalization related to ILD within the last 4 weeks).
  • On stable medical treatment and routine follow-up.
  • Able to walk and participate in low-to-moderate intensity exercise as determined by the clinician/physiotherapist.
  • Able to understand study procedures and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Coexisting chronic respiratory disease that may confound outcomes (e.g., COPD, uncontrolled asthma, bronchiectasis).
  • Acute exacerbation of ILD or hospitalization within the last 4 weeks.
  • Unstable cardiovascular disease or other medical conditions making exercise unsafe (e.g., unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction).
  • Severe neurological, musculoskeletal, or balance disorders limiting safe participation in exercise.
  • Pulmonary hypertension or oxygen dependency requiring unstable/high-flow support if judged unsafe for exercise participation by the treating clinician.
  • Current participation in another structured exercise / pulmonary rehabilitation program during the study period.
  • Major psychiatric disorder or cognitive impairment interfering with participation or adherence.
  • Pregnancy.

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: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Clinical Pilates Group
Participants will receive a structured Clinical Pilates program delivered by a trained physiotherapist, focusing on breathing control, posture, core stability, flexibility, and functional movement.
Behavioral: Clinical Pilates
A supervised Clinical Pilates exercise program conducted by a physiotherapist, including breathing-focused, posture-based, and low-impact strengthening and flexibility exercises tailored to individuals with interstitial lung disease.
Other: standart care
Participants will continue their usual medical treatment and routine clinical follow-up for interstitial lung disease without additional rehabilitation intervention.
Active Comparator: Standard Care Control Group
Participants will receive standard medical care for interstitial lung disease without additional structured exercise or Clinical Pilates intervention.
Other: standart care
Participants will continue their usual medical treatment and routine clinical follow-up for interstitial lung disease without additional rehabilitation intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Six-Minute Walk Test Distance
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8
Physical function will be assessed using the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Total walking distance will be recorded.
Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8
Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale Score
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8
Respiratory symptom severity will be assessed using the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale total score. Points (range 0-4; higher scores indicate worse dyspnea)
Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Recep Tayyip Erdogan University

Collaborators

İstanbul Yeni Yüzyıl Üniversitesi

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 (Estimated)

February 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

April 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

May 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 31, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 6, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

February 13, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 13, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 6, 2026

Last Verified

February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2025/012-1758

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared publicly due to ethical and privacy considerations, as the data include sensitive personal and health-related information. Data will be used only for the purposes of the current study and stored in accordance with institutional and data protection regulations.

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.

Clinical Trials on Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

Clinical Trials on Clinical Pilates

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Uzbekistan

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe