Available online at www.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect European Journal of Integrative Medicine 6 (2014) 631–636 Original article An observational study on the effects of Pilates on quality of life in women during menopause Gustavo Rodríguez-Fuentes a , Iris Machado de Oliveira a,∗ , Hugo Ogando-Berea b , María Dolores Otero-Gargamala c a Faculty of Physiotherapy, Department of Functional Biology and Health Sciences, University of Vigo, Pontevedra (Pontevedra), Spain b Faculty of Biology, Department of Functional Biology and Health Sciences, University of Vigo, Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain c Centro de Fisioterapia y Pilates Galifisio C.B., Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain Received 12 May 2014; received in revised form 13 August 2014; accepted 13 August 2014 Abstract Introduction: The hormonal changes that are associated with the climacteric and menopause result in physical, psychological and social changes. As the exercises used in Pilates are believed to influence physical and mental fitness, the objective of this study was to assess the influence of a Pilates-based exercise programme on quality of life of climacteric women. Methods: A prospective observational study (before and after) was carried out. The sample comprised of 27 women between the ages of 38 and 63. The Pilates-based exercises programme was developed in groups. A Pilates programme was carried out for two 60-minute sessions per week for 12 consecutive weeks. The quality of life was assessed pre and post intervention through the Health Questionnaire SF-36, Spanish version 2 (SF-36v2). Results: The 8 dimensions’ scores, included in the SF-36v2 questionnaire, reflected statistically significant differences (p < 0.01 for PF and RE dimensions, and p < 0.001 for the rest). Conclusions: Pilates seems to improve both the physical and mental components as measured by the SF-36v2 questionnaire. However, more studies are needed with larger samples and with a longer follow-up to assess whether these positive effects can be maintained. © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. Keywords: Health Behaviour; Menopause; Pilates-based exercises; Physiotherapy; Climacteric Introduction From the clinical point of view, the climacteric is an impor- tant period in a woman’s life and health. This is because it is commonly associated with a range of different physiological changes. The climacteric covers a period beginning with the first symptoms of menopause and lasting five to ten years after the menopause. The climacteric period is however, usually focused on the time of menopause, which occurs between the ages of 45 ∗ Corresponding author at: Faculty of Physiotherapy, Campus “A Xunqueira”, s/n, Pontevedra, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain. Tel.: +34 986801750; fax: +34 986801780. E-mail addresses: gfuentes@uvigo.es (G. Rodríguez-Fuentes), irismacoli@uvigo.es, drairismacoli@gmail.com (I.M. de Oliveira), hoberea@gmail.com (H. Ogando-Berea), lolifisiopilates@gmail.com (M.D. Otero-Gargamala). and 55 [1]. In Europe, Palacios et al. [2] indicate that the average age for natural menopause is 54 years (between 50.1 and 52.8). In our study, WHO [1] menopause definition–the moment after 12 consecutive months of amenorrhea (p. 12–13), was used to determine the natural menopause. The hormonal changes that are associated with the climac- teric and menopause result in physical, psychological and social changes [3]. Furthermore, different symptoms and health prob- lems may occur. The prevalence rate in Europe for climacteric symptoms in women is about 74% [2] and some of the symp- toms experienced are hot flashes, night sweats and vasomotor symptoms, decreased vaginal lubrication and painful sexual intercourse [1–4], and mood swings [2,4], while the mus- culoskeletal system often present as joint pain and stiffness [3]. Although there is no clear relationship between the later symptoms and climacteric symptoms [5], the health problems associated with the climacteric and menopause may include http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2014.08.003 1876-3820/© 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.