RecruitingInterventional

Can Pilates and Tai Chi group online classes improve fatigue and mental health symptoms in patients with rheumatological diseases?

Are you living with a rheumatological disease and experiencing extreme tiredness (fatigue) and other mood-related symptoms? This new study aims to see if online group exercise classes, specifically Pilates or Tai Chi, can make a difference. Many people with these conditions find daily life challenging due to fatigue, and current NHS support is often limited. Researchers want to find out if these gentle, adapted exercises can reduce tiredness and improve overall well-being. Participants will join one of three groups: usual care, online Pilates, or online Tai Chi, for 8 weeks, with follow-up over 6 months to track changes. If you're 18 or over, live in the UK, have a diagnosed systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease and aren't already exercising regularly, you might be a good fit.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of East Anglia

Enrolment target

420

Start

14 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2026

Rheumatological diseases

What is this study about?

Living with rheumatological diseases, which affect your joints, muscles, and other parts of your body, can be tough. Many people with these conditions often feel extremely tired, a symptom known as fatigue, along with other mental health challenges. This can make everyday activities very difficult and impact your quality of life. Doctors have noticed how much fatigue affects their patients, but it's often hard for the NHS to offer enough support.

This study is exploring a new way to help: online group exercise classes. Previous research has suggested that exercise might ease fatigue for people with rheumatological conditions. This particular study will focus on two popular and gentle exercise forms, Pilates and Tai Chi, to see if they can help reduce tiredness and improve your general well-being and mood. By taking part, you could contribute to important research that might improve how we support people living with these conditions in the future.

The study is a 'randomised controlled trial'. This means participants will be randomly put into one of three groups. One group will continue with their usual care, while the other two will try either online Pilates or online Tai Chi classes. The classes are taught by qualified instructors through Zoom, twice a week for 8 weeks, with an option for more classes after that. Researchers will then check in with everyone over 6 months to see if these exercises made a difference to their fatigue and mental health symptoms.

Key takeaways

Exploring online Pilates or Tai Chi for fatigue and mood in rheumatological diseases.
Classes are online via Zoom, twice a week for 8 weeks.
Participants will be randomly assigned to usual care, Pilates, or Tai Chi.
Impact on fatigue and mental health will be tracked over 6 months.
You must be 18+, live in the UK, and have a SARD with daily fatigue.
Contribution to research aiming to improve patient lives.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for people who are 18 years or older and live in the UK. You need to have been diagnosed with a systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD). This includes conditions like inflammatory arthritis, lupus, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren’s, myositis, vasculitis, or certain connective tissue diseases. It's important that you are currently experiencing tiredness that affects your daily life.

You also need to be able to attend at least two online exercise classes each week at the scheduled times. You should be able to understand, read, and write in English. The study is not open to people who are already taking part in other studies about fatigue or who have health problems that would make exercise unsafe for them.

Finally, you shouldn't be regularly attending another exercise class, either online or in person, once a week or more often. This is so researchers can clearly see if the Pilates or Tai Chi classes in this study are having an effect.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you currently live in the UK?
Do you have a systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease diagnosed by a doctor?
Does tiredness severely affect your daily life?
Are you able to attend at least two online exercise classes per week?
Are you not currently attending regular exercise classes (once a week or more)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you'll first be asked to answer some questionnaires online. Then, you'll be randomly placed into one of three groups: a group receiving your usual care, a group doing online Pilates, or a group doing online Tai Chi. Both exercise class groups will have classes twice a week for 8 weeks, led by qualified instructors via Zoom. After these 8 weeks, you'll have the option to continue with one class per week for another 8 weeks.

Throughout the study, you'll be asked to complete online questionnaires four times: at the very start (this is called 'baseline'), after 10 weeks, after 18 weeks, and finally after 6 months. These questionnaires help the researchers understand how your fatigue and mental health symptoms might be changing. The total time you'll be followed for the study is 6 months from when you start.

Potential risks and benefits

The exercise classes in this study are designed to be gentle and suitable for people with long-term conditions. However, as with any physical activity, there's a small chance of minor injury or discomfort. If you experience minor pain, you can continue, avoiding movements that cause it. If a more significant injury were to happen, you would be advised to stop and speak to your GP for medical advice. You might be able to rejoin the classes later if your doctor agrees. On the other hand, if you're in an exercise group, you might find your tiredness improves, and your overall quality of life gets better. You could also enjoy the social side of joining a group and interacting with others online. By participating, you'll be helping doctors and researchers learn more about how online exercise can help people with rheumatological diseases.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Participants are recruited via social media and advertisement posters
Unverified
NO COUNTRY SPECIFIED, assuming England, England

Common questions

What kind of conditions are considered 'rheumatological diseases' for this study?

This includes conditions like inflammatory arthritis, lupus, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren’s, myositis, vasculitis, and certain connective tissue diseases.

Do I need to be good at Pilates or Tai Chi to join?

No, the classes will be gentle and adapted for people with chronic diseases, so no prior experience is needed.

What does 'usual care' group mean?

If you're in the usual care group, you'll continue with your regular medical care and daily activities, without joining the Pilates or Tai Chi classes offered in this study.

How often are the classes, and how long does the study last?

The classes are twice a week for 8 weeks, with an option for more. The study will follow up with you for a total of 6 months.

Who is running this study?

The study is a collaboration between the University of East Anglia, the University of Cambridge, and King's College Clinical Trials Unit, and is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

How to find out more

Miranda Van Emmenis

Mv404@medschl.cam.ac.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.