Ülger, O., & Yagli, N.V. (2010). Effects of yoga on the quality of life in cancer patients. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 16, 60–63.
To investigate the effects of yoga on patients with breast cancer to help them cope with the treatment process and reduce social isolation
Patients were given eight sessions of classical yoga twice a week in a physical therapy department. Each session lasted one hour, including warm up and breathing exercises, asanas, relaxation, and medication. Study data were collected before and after treatment. All sessions were taught by one yoga physiotherapist, and all assessments were done by another yoga teacher.
Patients were undergoing the transition phase of care after initial treatment.
A prospective trial with a pre/post-test design was used.
State and trait anxiety significantly declined from baseline after the yoga intervention (p = 0.001). All NHP parameters improved after the yoga sessions, including energy level, pain, sleep, emotional level, social adaptation, and physical skills.
Participation in yoga sessions was associated with reduced anxiety and improved quality-of-life scores after initial cancer treatment in these patients with breast cancer.
Findings suggest that yoga may be helpful for patients with cancer to reduce stress and improve overall fitness and ability to relax.