A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study Assessing Feasibility and Impact of Yoga Practice on Quality of Life, Mood, and Perceived Stress in Women with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background:A breast cancer diagnosis can entail numerous physical and psychosocial challenges. Yoga practice (YP) may contribute to improved well-being for these patients.Primary Study Objective:Investigate feasibility and impact of YP on quality of life (QoL), mood, fatigue, and perceived stress immediately after breast cancer diagnosis.Methods:Thirty women were randomly assigned to a yoga group (YG) or control group (CG) immediately after cancer diagnosis.Setting:Pilot study conducted at an academic medical center breast clinic.Participant(s):Females (N = 30) who received a biopsy-proven breast cancer diagnosis without metastatic disease.Intervention (YG):One individual YP session at baseline, then 2 individual and 8 weekly group sessions followed by weekly gentle yoga at home (DVD). Questionnaires and saliva samples (ie, cortisol) completed at baseline and 12 weeks postdiagnosis.Results:Both groups reported significant improvements in QoL postintervention but with no significant difference between groups. Emotional well-being, mood-related tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, and confusion-bewilderment scores improved for both groups, and cortisol and cortisone levels decreased. Lumpectomies were prevalent with YG (67%) and CG (47%). YP was rated as “very effective,” providing relaxation (85%), stress relief (69%), and reduced muscle tension/general feeling of wellness (each 62%).Conclusion:Feasibility of YP immediately after breast cancer diagnosis was good. Improvement in emotional well-being, anxiety, depression, and levels of confusion was found in both groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the impact of YP immediately after breast cancer diagnosis. Further research in this area is warranted.

Clinical practice guidelines on the evidence‐based use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment

“…Many of the studies investigating the impact of yoga on psychological outcomes in individuals with cancer should be interpreted with caution, because many of these studies are small and preliminary. Furthermore, the studies summarized above have some inconsistency of results; the trials from India reported consistently positive results, while the trials from North America reported less consistent positive results. Nevertheless, many of the studies and reviews that examined yoga interventions reported overall positive outcomes in several physical, psychological, and QOL measures.…”

“…Yoga is recommended for reducing anxiety in patients with breast cancer (grade B). This recommendation is based on 9 RCTs, completed between 2007 and 2014, in which a yoga intervention was implemented to reduce physical symptoms and psychological distress, including anxiety, which was assessed as the primary outcome in 4 of the studies (see Supporting Information Table 2) . Those 9 trials tested 5 different yoga interventions.…”

“…The fourth intervention implemented meditation and breathing exercises that focused attention on internal body sensations as well as yoga exercises (modified asanas ) composed of gentle stretching and strengthening exercises . Pranayama or yoga breathing practices were tested in the remaining trials . Study participants included women who had been recently diagnosed with breast cancer, those who were currently receiving radiation or chemotherapy or a combination of both, and those who were experiencing significant fatigue post‐treatment.…”

“…Yoga is recommended for improving mood disturbances and depressive symptoms in women with breast cancer (grade B). This recommendation is based on the results from 15 RCTs, completed between 2006 and 2015, that used a yoga intervention to reduce physical symptoms and psychological distress, including depression (see Supporting Information Table 3) . Depression or depressive symptoms were the primary or secondary outcome for all studies included in this review.…”

“…Five trials implemented Iyengar yoga, a traditional form of Hatha yoga, and passive backbends . Two trials assessed Patanjali's yoga sutras, which included warm‐up movements synchronized with breathing, selected postures, deep relaxation techniques, meditation, and alternate‐nostril breathing (pranayama); while 2 trials evaluated only the pranayama practices . Finally, a yoga exercise intervention implemented meditation and breathing exercises that focused attention on internal body sensations as well as yoga exercises (modified asanas) composed of gentle stretching and strengthening exercises …”