Could online pilates ease pain for those with stretchy joints?
NCT ID NCT07118865
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study investigates whether an online Pilates program designed for people with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or hypermobility spectrum disorder can reduce pain and improve function. Participants follow 25-minute guided videos three times a week for eight weeks. Researchers measure changes in symptoms, fear of movement, and quality of life, comparing results to a group on a wait-list.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Online Pilates exercise program
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a safe, accessible way for people with hypermobility to manage pain and improve daily function at home.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage study with a wait-list control, so results may not be definitive. The exercise program is self-guided, and adherence or technique may vary.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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440 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2019
- Finished
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Mar 2021
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * i. Have some form of Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders or hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (HSD/hEDS) diagnosed by any health care provider; this would include individuals diagnosed with Joint Hypermobility Syndrome using the pre-2017 diagnostic criteria. ii. Able to read the English language and understand spoken English. iii. Willing to try to do Pilates using the 25 minute on-line training videos at least 3 times per week, unless they experience some adverse event or illness that prevents them from safely participating. Exclusion Criteria: * i. Medical restrictions (such as recent and healing surgery, fractures, comorbidities such as severe rheumatoid arthritis or neurological conditions, etc.) that prevent them from safely doing gentle exercise lying down on the floor, sitting, and standing. ii. Inability to safely stand (with or without using upper extremity for balance) for 10 consecutive minutes. iii. Recent injuries or changes in status that are not stable. This will be defined as "A significant change in your wellness due to recent injury or new symptoms in the past month that result in your wellness during the past month being very different from the past 5 months. Flare episodes that are typical for you will not prevent you from participating at this time." iv. Significantly changed treatment approach or medication within the past 3 months or be expecting to change their treatment program (including medication changes) during the study. This would make it difficult for us to know if changes are due to the Pilates class or the change in their treatment program. However, we understand that their health status may change such that they need to change their health care routine for physical and mental health. v. Currently receiving regular rehabilitation such as physical therapy, or having received physical therapy (PT) or a similar movement-based therapy (such as such as Pilates, Feldenkrais, Tai Chi, qigung, yoga) in the past 3 months. Individuals who continue to do exercises from any of these sources are not excluded, as these individuals should be stable on their current routine. vi. Currently doing more than 30 minutes/week of Pilates exercise.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Clarkson University. Entire study is online, no physical site used.
Potsdam, New York, 13699, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Long-Term study aims to unlock mystery of joint hypermobility and chronic illness
- Simple leg exercises may tighten loose knees in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
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