Effects of a yoga intervention on distress indicators among diverse women with gynecologic, gastrointestinal, and thoracic cancers.

Abstract

12129 Background: Depression, anxiety, and fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) constitute prevalent psychological concerns necessitating further attention in developing supportive care interventions for women with gynecologic, gastrointestinal, and thoracic cancers. Recent evidence indicates that such concerns may be especially severe among underserved women of color and women affected by low-socioeconomic status (SES). The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the magnitude of changes in depression, anxiety, and FCR associated with a mindfulness-based yoga intervention among a diverse sample of women with these cancers. A second aim is to identify how changes in these concerns may differ across sociodemographic groups. Methods: Women with gynecologic ( n=86), gastrointestinal ( n=17), or thoracic ( n=20) cancers were enrolled in a group-based 10-week yoga intervention utilizing mindfulness meditation, relaxation, and gentle yoga. Prior to and following intervention, participants were administered assessments, including the Beck Depression Inventory – Second Edition (BDI-II) to measure depression, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to assess anxiety, and the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI) to evaluate aspects of FCR. Mixed-linear models evaluated change in outcomes from pre- to post-intervention, with conditional models assessing the effects of age, race/ethnicity, and SES on change. Analyses were conducted prior to trial completion due to approaching accrual period termination. Results: The sample demonstrated a mean age of 58.46 ( SD=10.82) and mean SES score of 3.98 ( SD=1.55) using a 1 to 7 composite scale. Twenty-six percent of participants were of racial and/or ethnic minority status ( n=32). Significant declines in total depressive symptoms, somatic depressive symptoms, state anxiety, and psychological distress due to FCR were observed across the sample. Higher SES was associated with significantly greater reductions in total depressive symptoms and affective depressive symptoms, specifically. Women of color experienced significantly greater declines in somatic symptoms compared to non-Hispanic White women. Conclusions: This mindfulness-based yoga intervention was associated with significant reductions in depressive symptoms, state anxiety, and psychological distress related to FCR among women with gynecologic, gastrointestinal, and thoracic cancers. Higher SES and underserved race/ethnicity status moderated some of these effects. Future research should explore the efficacy of this intervention among diverse women in a randomized clinical trial context. Clinical trial information: NCT03385577.