Impact of Yoga on Functional Outcomes in Breast Cancer Survivors With Aromatase Inhibitor–Associated Arthralgias

Abstract

Arthralgia affects postmenopausal breast cancer survivors (BCSs) receiving aromatase inhibitors (AIs). This study aims to establish the feasibility of studying the impact of yoga on objective functional outcomes, pain, and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) for AI-associated arthralgia (AIAA). Postmenopausal women with stage I to III breast cancer who reported AIAA were enrolled in a single-arm pilot trial. A yoga program was provided twice a week for 8 weeks. The Functional Reach (FR) and Sit and Reach (SR) were evaluated as primary outcomes. Pain, as measured by the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), self-reported Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) were secondary outcomes. Paired t tests were used for analysis, and 90% provided data for assessment at the end of the intervention. Participants experienced significant improvement in balance, as measured by FR, and flexibility, as measured by SR. The PSFS improved from 4.55 to 7.21, and HR-QOL measured by FACT-B also improved; both P < .05. The score for the Pain Severity subscale of the BPI reduced. No adverse events nor development or worsening of lymphedema was observed. In all, 80% of participants adhered to the home program. Preliminary data suggest that yoga may reduce pain and improve balance and flexibility in BCSs with AIAA. A randomized controlled trial is needed to establish the definitive efficacy of yoga for objective functional improvement in BCSs related to AIAA.

Management of aromatase inhibitor induced musculoskeletal symptoms in postmenopausal early Breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…One pre/post study investigated a home-based exercise program (58), and two studies investigated walking programs, including one RCT involving Nordic Walking (33), and one pre/post study investigating a self-directed walking program (59). One pre/post study investigated Tai Chi (60), and two other pre/post studies investigated yoga (61,62). A CCT investigated aquatic exercise (38).…”

Yoga therapy and breast cancer

“…Yoga therapy is one of the healthy behaviors as its effectiveness in helping patients has been supported by research. Galantino et al (2012) further compares wellness coaching with traditional social support. They assert that wellness coaching is more important than traditional social support mechanisms in treating survivors, as the former has a greater positive impact on quality of life.…”

“…The result is that they have to endure suffering from the disease which can only be maintained by the patient taking care of their needs. With this contextual knowledge in mind, Galantino et al (2012) began working with women experiencing disability after breast cancer with a view of developing interventions that are directly informed by participants. The ultimate objective was to create interventions that are accessible and can be undertaken independently without care providers.…”

Issues associated with Aromatase Inhibitor–Associated Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Breast Cancer

“…One unique case report proposed Kampo medicines (Japanese traditional medicines) may improve AIs-induced side-effects [35] Other complementary therapies include Tai chi, which was demonstrated to improve wellbeing for breast cancer patients with AI related arthralgia [36] ; yoga, leading to improvement in objective functional outcomes, pain, and health-related quality of life as measured by the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), self-reported Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) [37,38] ; and electro-acupuncture, which will be exclusively discussed in the following paragraph [22,39,40] .…”