The effect of eight-week pilates and thermomechanical massage on vital sign, inflammatory markers and quality of life and mental health in women with hypertension

High blood pressure increases various cardiovascular events about 2 to 3 times in a person. The purpose of this study was to recognize the effect of Pilates and thermomechanical massage on vital sign, inflammatory markers and quality of life and mental health in women with hypertension.

: In this quasi-experimental study, 45 women with hypertension referred to internal clinics of Arak city were selected and randomly divided into three groups of Pilates, thermomechanical massage and control. Pilates and massage group performed 8 weeks (3 sessions per week and 40-45 minutes each session), but the control group did not exercise regularly during this period. Serum C-reactive protein levels, heart rate and blood pressure were measured, and quality of life and mental health questionnaires were completed. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and one-way ANOVA at a significant level of 0.05.

Results showed a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.02) and inflammatory factor (p = 0.02) in both groups. There was also a significant difference between the Pilates and the thermo-mechanical massage and control groups. But there were no significant effects on heart rate (p=0.34). There was a significant improvement in quality of life and mental health in the experimental group compared to the control group.

Eight weeks of Pilates had a greater effect on blood pressure and inflammatory markers, but the effect of improving quality of life and mental health with thermomechanical massage was greater than Pilates.