Effect of pilates on the physical and mental health of drug-dependent individuals — a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objective Drug-dependent individuals often face severe physical and mental health impairments, necessitating safe and adaptable rehabilitation strategies. This study aims to investigate the effects of Pilates exercise on the physical and mental health of drug-dependent individuals. Specific...

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Main Authors: Feng Ji, Ensong Zhou, Peng Zhao, Xinliang Chen, Hui Wang, Jiabin Zhong, Yi Zhang, Yunhang Lu, Qing Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:BMC Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07008-7
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author Feng Ji
Ensong Zhou
Peng Zhao
Xinliang Chen
Hui Wang
Jiabin Zhong
Yi Zhang
Yunhang Lu
Qing Zhang
author_facet Feng Ji
Ensong Zhou
Peng Zhao
Xinliang Chen
Hui Wang
Jiabin Zhong
Yi Zhang
Yunhang Lu
Qing Zhang
author_sort Feng Ji
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective Drug-dependent individuals often face severe physical and mental health impairments, necessitating safe and adaptable rehabilitation strategies. This study aims to investigate the effects of Pilates exercise on the physical and mental health of drug-dependent individuals. Specifically, the study seeks to evaluate changes in body composition, physical fitness, blood biochemistry, and psychological outcomes following a structured Pilates intervention. Methods This study was conducted as a double-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. A total of 43 substance-dependent individuals were recruited from the Judong Drug Rehabilitation Center and randomly assigned to either the Pilates intervention group (n = 22) or the control group (n = 21). The experimental group underwent Pilates program of two weekly sessions for 24 weeks, while the control group received conventional rehabilitation. We assessed physical and mental health indicators at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks. Repeated measures analysis of variance was employed to discern inter-group differences, and Spearman correlation analysis was applied to assess the relationship between fluctuations in scores on anxiety and depression scales and those of associated physiological metrics. Results After 24 weeks of Pilates intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) in body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, sit-and-reach distance, push-up performance, one-leg standing with eyes closed, vital capacity, white blood cell count, and neutrophil count. Psychological assessments revealed significant differences in scores on the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) between the experimental and control groups (p < 0.01), with more pronounced effects in the experimental group. Additionally, changes in SDS scores were correlated with changes in sit-and-reach distance (r = -0.657, p < 0.001), one-leg standing with eyes closed (r = -0.734, p < 0.001), and vital capacity (r = -0.490, p = 0.001). Changes in SAS scores were correlated with changes in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (r = -0.304, p = 0.048), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (r = -0.320, p = 0.037), sit-and-reach distance (r = -0.595, p < 0.001), one-leg standing with eyes closed (r = -0.704, p < 0.001), and vital capacity (r = -0.472, p = 0.001). Conclusion The Pilates intervention significantly enhanced participants’ physical attributes—body composition, strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, lung function, and immune response—while alleviating anxiety and depression. Correlations were identified between mental health improvements and physical gains, indicating that tailored exercise, informed by ongoing health monitoring, could optimize drug rehabilitation outcomes. Clinical trial registration ChiCTR-IPR-2400087067, Registered on: 18/7/2024.
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spelling doaj-art-46660e415f9345b08c7d9a712b5291f62025-08-20T03:10:34ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2025-06-0125111710.1186/s12888-025-07008-7Effect of pilates on the physical and mental health of drug-dependent individuals — a randomized controlled trialFeng Ji0Ensong Zhou1Peng Zhao2Xinliang Chen3Hui Wang4Jiabin Zhong5Yi Zhang6Yunhang Lu7Qing Zhang8School of Physical Education and Sports Science, Soochow UniversitySchool of Physical Education and Sports Science, Soochow UniversityJudong Compulsory Isolation Drug Rehabilitation CenterJudong Compulsory Isolation Drug Rehabilitation CenterSchool of Physical Education and Sports Science, Soochow UniversitySchool of Physical Education and Sports Science, Soochow UniversityDepartment of Physical Education, Kyungpook National UniversitySchool of Physical Education and Sports Science, Soochow UniversitySchool of Physical Education and Sports Science, Soochow UniversityAbstract Objective Drug-dependent individuals often face severe physical and mental health impairments, necessitating safe and adaptable rehabilitation strategies. This study aims to investigate the effects of Pilates exercise on the physical and mental health of drug-dependent individuals. Specifically, the study seeks to evaluate changes in body composition, physical fitness, blood biochemistry, and psychological outcomes following a structured Pilates intervention. Methods This study was conducted as a double-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. A total of 43 substance-dependent individuals were recruited from the Judong Drug Rehabilitation Center and randomly assigned to either the Pilates intervention group (n = 22) or the control group (n = 21). The experimental group underwent Pilates program of two weekly sessions for 24 weeks, while the control group received conventional rehabilitation. We assessed physical and mental health indicators at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks. Repeated measures analysis of variance was employed to discern inter-group differences, and Spearman correlation analysis was applied to assess the relationship between fluctuations in scores on anxiety and depression scales and those of associated physiological metrics. Results After 24 weeks of Pilates intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) in body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, sit-and-reach distance, push-up performance, one-leg standing with eyes closed, vital capacity, white blood cell count, and neutrophil count. Psychological assessments revealed significant differences in scores on the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) between the experimental and control groups (p < 0.01), with more pronounced effects in the experimental group. Additionally, changes in SDS scores were correlated with changes in sit-and-reach distance (r = -0.657, p < 0.001), one-leg standing with eyes closed (r = -0.734, p < 0.001), and vital capacity (r = -0.490, p = 0.001). Changes in SAS scores were correlated with changes in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (r = -0.304, p = 0.048), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (r = -0.320, p = 0.037), sit-and-reach distance (r = -0.595, p < 0.001), one-leg standing with eyes closed (r = -0.704, p < 0.001), and vital capacity (r = -0.472, p = 0.001). Conclusion The Pilates intervention significantly enhanced participants’ physical attributes—body composition, strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, lung function, and immune response—while alleviating anxiety and depression. Correlations were identified between mental health improvements and physical gains, indicating that tailored exercise, informed by ongoing health monitoring, could optimize drug rehabilitation outcomes. Clinical trial registration ChiCTR-IPR-2400087067, Registered on: 18/7/2024.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07008-7PilatesExercise InterventionPhysical and Mental HealthDrug AddictionRehabilitation
spellingShingle Feng Ji
Ensong Zhou
Peng Zhao
Xinliang Chen
Hui Wang
Jiabin Zhong
Yi Zhang
Yunhang Lu
Qing Zhang
Effect of pilates on the physical and mental health of drug-dependent individuals — a randomized controlled trial
BMC Psychiatry
Pilates
Exercise Intervention
Physical and Mental Health
Drug Addiction
Rehabilitation
title Effect of pilates on the physical and mental health of drug-dependent individuals — a randomized controlled trial
title_full Effect of pilates on the physical and mental health of drug-dependent individuals — a randomized controlled trial
title_fullStr Effect of pilates on the physical and mental health of drug-dependent individuals — a randomized controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Effect of pilates on the physical and mental health of drug-dependent individuals — a randomized controlled trial
title_short Effect of pilates on the physical and mental health of drug-dependent individuals — a randomized controlled trial
title_sort effect of pilates on the physical and mental health of drug dependent individuals a randomized controlled trial
topic Pilates
Exercise Intervention
Physical and Mental Health
Drug Addiction
Rehabilitation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07008-7
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