Group Yoga Effects on Cancer Patient and Caregiver Symptom Distress: Assessment of Self-reported Symptoms at a Comprehensive Cancer Center

Abstract

Background. Complementary and integrative health approaches such as yoga provide support for psychosocial health. We explored the effects of group-based yoga classes offered through an integrative medicine center at a comprehensive cancer center. Methods. Patients and caregivers had access to two yoga group classes: a lower intensity (YLow) or higher intensity (YHigh) class. Participants completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS; scale 0-10, 10 most severe) immediately before and after the class. ESAS subscales analyzed included global (GDS; score 0-90), physical (PHS; 0-60), and psychological distress (PSS; 0-20). Data were analyzed examining pre-yoga and post-yoga symptom scores using paired t-tests and between types of classes using ANOVAs. Results. From July 18, 2016, to August 8, 2017, 282 unique participants (205 patients, 77 caregivers; 85% female; ages 20-79 years) attended one or more yoga groups (mean 2.3). For all participants, we observed clinically significant reduction/improvement in GDS, PHS, and PSS scores and in symptoms (ESAS decrease ≥1; means) of anxiety, fatigue, well-being, depression, appetite, drowsiness, and sleep. Clinically significant improvement for both patients and caregivers was observed for anxiety, depression, fatigue, well-being, and all ESAS subscales. Comparing yoga groups, YLow contributed to greater improvement in sleep versus YHigh (−1.33 vs −0.50, P = .054). Improvement in fatigue for YLow was the greatest mean change (YLow −2.12). Conclusion. A single yoga group class resulted in clinically meaningful improvement of multiple self-reported symptoms. Further research is needed to better understand how yoga class content, intensity, and duration can affect outcomes.

Effects of Meditation on Mental Health and Cardiovascular Balance in Caregivers

“…With regard to the impact on anxiety, a recent meta-analysis supported the usefulness of yoga or meditation as a complementary or solo treatment of anxiety or depression [ 33 ]. It was previously found that a 12-month yoga program or an 8-week meditation programs could reduce anxiety and depression and diminish physical and psychological distress [ 17 , 18 , 34 ].…”

“…An increase in HRV is linked to adaptive emotional regulation strategies [ 15 , 16 ]. Practices that focus on the interactions among brain, body, mind, and behavior, such as yoga, are reported to improve the well-being and cardiac balance in informal caregivers [ 17 , 18 ]. “Meditation” is another ancient approach to the cultivation of well-being [ 19 ].…”

Effects of Meditation on Mental Health and Cardiovascular Balance in Caregivers

“…With regard to the impact on anxiety, a recent meta-analysis supported the usefulness of yoga or meditation as a complementary or solo treatment of anxiety or depression [28]. It has previously been found that a 12-month yoga programs or an 8-week meditation programs can reduce anxiety and depression and diminish physical and psychological distress [15,14,29].…”

“…An increase in HRV has been linked to adaptive emotional regulation strategies [12,13]. Practices that focus on the interactions among brain, body, mind, and behavior, such as yoga, have been reported to improve well-being and cardiac balance in informal caregivers [14,15]. "Meditation" is another ancient approach to the cultivation of well-being [16].…”

Yoga Meningkatkan Kualitas Hidup Pada Pasien Kanker: Literature Review

“…Beberapa penulis menggambarkan peningkatan pengaruh positif dan penurunan pengaruh negatif pada pasien dengan kanker yang berpartisipasi dalam program yoga (Siedentopf et al, 2013). Penelitian sebelumnya menemukan manfaat yoga pada pasien kanker yaitu meningkatkan kesehatan, kualitas hidup dan fisik, mengurangi kecemasan, depresi, gangguan tidur, kelelahan, tekanan psikososial dan gejala muskuloskeletal (Lopez et al, 2018).…”