Effects of a Pilates Studio Program on Quality of Life and Functional Capacity of Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer is one of the most common neoplasms and a leading cause of death among women worldwide, representing a significant public health problem. Beyond the physiological impact of the disease, cancer treatment, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy, is associated with various adverse physical and emotional effects. Among the main impairments observed are pain, fatigue, loss of muscle strength, reduced flexibility, functional limitations of the upper limbs, changes in body composition, anxiety, depression, and significant impairments in quality of life. These effects can directly compromise the functional autonomy, self-esteem, and overall well-being of patients during and after treatment. In this context, physical exercise has been widely recommended as a complementary non-pharmacological strategy to minimize the side effects of breast cancer treatment. Among the exercise modalities, the Pilates Studio method stands out for integrating muscle strengthening, respiratory control, flexibility, balance, and body awareness, promoting physical and psychosocial benefits. Furthermore, Pilates allows for individualized adaptation of exercises, enabling women undergoing cancer treatment to perform activities safely and progressively according to their functional limitations. Studies demonstrate that interventions based on the Pilates method can contribute to improved quality of life, functionality, muscle strength, range of motion, and reduced fatigue in women with breast cancer. However, most research focuses on mat Pilates, with a scarcity of studies specifically addressing the effects of Studio Pilates, performed with specific equipment and progressive load control. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effects of a Studio Pilates program on quality of life, functional capacity, pain, fatigue, sarcopenia, muscle strength, flexibility, body composition, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression in women undergoing breast cancer treatment. It is expected that the results will contribute to expanding the scientific evidence on the use of Studio Pilates as a complementary therapeutic tool in cancer care, promoting the physical, functional, and emotional rehabilitation of this population.