Effect of pilates exercise on quality of life in patients with sickle cell disease

<b>Objectives:</b> This study aimed to investigate the randomized controlled response of quality of life (QoL) to 12-week Pilates exercise in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).<br /> <b>Materials and methods:</b> Patients were recruited from a tertiary hospital affiliated with the General Authority for Health Insurance. Forty patients were randomly assigned to the 30-min Pilates group (PG) (20 patients trained 5 times per week) or the control not-trained group. The outcome measures were six-minute walking distance (a measure for physical capacity), quadriceps force, hand grip force, the total score of Pittsburgh sleep quality index, Beck depression inventory, and the mental and mental summaries of short form 36.<br /> <b>Results:</b> In the PG only, the results of the tested outcomes measures reported significant improvements (p < 0.05).<br /> <b>Conclusions:</b> In conclusion, to improve QoL, sleep quality, muscle strength, depression, and physical capacity in patients with SCD, Pilates training is a good and safe choice.