Yagli, N.V., Sener, G., Arikan, H., Saglam, M., Inal Ince, D., Savci, S., . . . Ozisik, Y. (2015). Do yoga and aerobic exercise training have impact on functional capacity, fatigue, peripheral muscle strength, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors? Integrative Cancer Therapies, 14, 125–132.
Patients were randomized to a yoga plus exercise group or an exercise alone group. Both groups did aerobic exercises three days per week for six weeks. The yoga program involved postures, meditation, and relaxation with imagery. Yoga was provided in 60-minute group sessions three days per week on the same day as exercise was done. Yoga was supervised by a certified therapist.
Randomized, controlled trial
Aerobic exercise training and yoga improved functional capacity and QOL and reduced fatigue in patients with breast cancer. The addition of yoga to aerobic exercise was associated with greater improvements in fatigue perception and QOL measures.
The findings of this study suggest that the addition of yoga to exercise interventions may cause improvements in perception of dyspnea and fatigue among breast cancer survivors that are greater than the effects of exercise alone. Mind–body approaches should be considered as adjuvant interventions for fatigue.