Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Tailored Yoga in Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Purpose: Treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) results in long-term toxicities and increased physical and psychosocial survivor burden. There are a limited number of treatments for these late effects. Yoga postures, breath work, relaxation, and meditation, may improve these late effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of a tailored yoga program in HNC survivors and obtain preliminary efficacy data. Methods: This was a randomized wait-list control study of yoga-naive HNC survivors who were >3 months post–cancer treatment. Baseline data were collected. Participants were randomized to either an 8-week hatha yoga intervention group or a wait-list group. Feasibility and efficacy data were collected. At 4 and 8 weeks, patients underwent a repeat assessment of health. Wait-list control group participants were offered the yoga program after data collection. Descriptive statistics evaluated feasibility. Mixed effects general linear models were used to generate estimates of the efficacy outcomes. Results: Seventy-three individuals were screened and 40 were eligible. All eligible individuals consented and enrolled. Five of the intervention group discontinued early and none in the wait-list control group. Feasibility was affirmed as participants were recruited and retained in the study, there were no adverse events, fidelity to protocol was demonstrated, and satisfaction rates were high. Efficacy measures indicated potential benefit for shoulder range of motion (d = 0.57-0.86, P < .05), pain (d = 0.67-0.90, P ≤ .005), and anxiety (d = 0.59, P = .015). Conclusion: A tailored hatha yoga program is feasible and potentially efficacious for HNC survivors. Preliminary data supports further investigation of yoga in this population is needed.

Yoga for depression and anxiety symptoms in people with cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…After removal of duplicate studies and exclusion during the title and abstract level review, 46 full texts remained. Following application of the eligibility criteria, 26 articles were eligible for inclusion 44–68 . Reasons for exclusion of the other 21 articles is presented in Table S1.…”

“…Eighteen studies were conducted in participants diagnosed with breast cancer (the study by Culos‐Reed et al. was primarily in breast and therefore included in this group), 45,47,49–53,56–59,62–68 two studies in mixed cancers, 46,69 and one study each in the following cancers: colorectal, 55 lymphoma, 54 thoracic, 61 head and neck, 44 myeloproliferative neoplasms 48 and glioma 60 …”

“…Participants in eight studies had completed conventional cancer treatment (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy,and radiation), 44,45,52,56–58,65,68 participants in twelve studies were undergoing treatment at the start of the study, 47,50,51,53,59–64,66,67 and participants in six studies were at various stages of cancer treatment 46,48,49,54,55,69 …”

“…Eleven of the included studies used interventions based on Hatha yoga 44–46,48,55–58,62,63,69 . Remaining studies used a variety of yoga styles: Integrated, 51,64,66 Vivekananda, 53,60,61,67 Classical, 68 Bali, 47 Dru, 59 Integral, 50 Iyengar, 52 Restorative, 49,65 and Tibetan 54 …”

Yoga as a holistic approach for stress management in Oral Cancer patients. A prospective study

“…Efficacy measures indicated potential benefit for shoulder range of motion, pain and anxiety. [ 17 ]…”