Pilot Evaluation of an Iyengar Yoga Program for Breast Cancer Survivors

Speed-Andrews, Amy E.; Stevinson, Clare; Bélanger, Lisa J.; Mirus, Judith; Courneya, Kerry S.

doi:10.1097/ncc.0b013e3181cfb55a

Cited by 51 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…These positive initial results indicate the need for a larger, randomized, and controlled study to further evaluate the efficacy of restorative yoga. • Iyengar Yoga: One of the most widely practiced forms of yoga found in the Western world, Iyengar yoga focuses on body alignment [52]. This yoga style has been described as an innovative adaptation for individuals who are stiff, immobile, ill, or injured.…”

Section: Yogamentioning

confidence: 99%

Mind–Body Therapies in Integrative Oncology

Elkins

Fisher

Johnson

2010

Curr. Treat. Options in Oncol.

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There is growing interest in mind-body therapies as adjuncts to mainstream cancer treatment, and an increasing number of patients turn to these interventions for the control of emotional stress associated with cancer. Increased research funding has enabled many such interventions to be evaluated for their efficacy, including studies of mind-body interventions to reduce pain, anxiety, insomnia, anticipatory, and treatment-related nauseas, hot flashes, and improved mood. Mind-body treatments evaluated for their utility in oncology include relaxation therapies, biofeedback, meditation and hypnosis, yoga, art and music therapy, tai chi, and qigong. Although studies are not always methodologically sound and results mixed, a growing number of well-designed studies provide convincing evidence that mind-body techniques are beneficial adjuncts to cancer treatment. The evidence is sufficient to recommend further investigation and adoption of these techniques in mainstream oncology care.

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Section: Yogamentioning

confidence: 99%

Mind–Body Therapies in Integrative Oncology

Elkins

Fisher

Johnson

2010

Curr. Treat. Options in Oncol.

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“…[22][23][24] As suggested by our pilot trial, yoga not only may improve pain severity and HR-QOL in women with AIAA, but the improvement in functional outcomes may hold particular clinical relevance for this population as they age, in the context of severe estrogen deprivation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…17 Previous trials of yoga for BCSs, although they showed improved QOL, lacked sufficient objective measures of function. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24] To determine the effects of yoga on AI-related arthralgia, we proposed a pilot study to test the impact of yoga for treatment of AIAA among BCSs. The specific aims of this study were to (1) demonstrate the feasibility of recruitment and retention to a yoga trial, (2) determine the safety of the intervention, and (3) explore the effects of yoga on function, pain, and QOL.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2011

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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.

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“…Similarly, only a few studies 13,19,21 have evaluated the demographic and psychosocial factors that may affect adherence of breast cancer survivors to yoga intervention. In one study of Iyengar yoga among post-treatment survivors, demographics were not predictive of 12-week adherence, but participants with more advanced tumors or a history of previous cancer adhered better, as did those reporting less fatigue and more happiness at baseline.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[6][7][8] Among breast cancer survivors, yoga has been associated with reduced arthralgia pain, 9 reduced fatigue and salivary cortisol levels, 10,11 and improved emotional functioning 12 and quality of life. [13][14][15] Trials involving lifestyle interventions often achieve lower adherence than trials involving medications, in part because they require extended motivation and effort on the part of participants. 16 When adherence is lower than expected, participants may receive an insufficient dose of the intervention, biasing the study results toward the null hypothesis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of Adherence to a 26-Week Viniyoga Intervention Among Post-Treatment Breast Cancer Survivors

Cadmus-Bertram

Littman

Ulrich

et al. 2013

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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Objectives: This study aimed to identify demographic, psychological, health-related, and geographic predictors of adherence to home-based and supervised components of a yoga intervention in breast cancer survivors. Methods: Participants were the 32 post-treatment breast cancer survivors who were randomized to the Viniyoga intervention arm of a controlled trial. Participants were asked to practice yoga 5 times per week for 6 months, including at least one weekly facility-based session. Adherence was monitored using sign-in sheets and logs. Height and weight were measured; other potential predictors of adherence were obtained from baseline questionnaires. Results: Participants attended 19.6 -13.0 yoga classes and performed 55.8 -32.8 home-based yoga sessions. Participants adhered to 58% of the overall yoga practice goal (75% of the goal for yoga classes and 54% of the goal for home based-sessions). Higher class attendance and home practice were predicted by greater self-efficacy for yoga ( p = 0.004 and 0.06, respectively). Additionally, employment outside the home was associated with greater class attendance ( p = 0.004), while higher waist circumference was marginally associated with lower adherence to home-based yoga ( p = 0.05). Conclusions: High levels of facility-and home-based yoga practice were achieved. Breast cancer survivors who have lower self-efficacy for yoga or who have a higher waist circumference may benefit from additional support or intervention tailoring. Adherence may also be improved by ensuring that class times are convenient to both working and nonworking women.

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Pilot Evaluation of an Iyengar Yoga Program for Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract: Nurses may consider IY as a possible intervention strategy to help breast cancer survivors improve their QoL and psychosocial functioning.

Cited by 51 publications

References 50 publications

Mind–Body Therapies in Integrative Oncology

Mind–Body Therapies in Integrative Oncology

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

Predictors of Adherence to a 26-Week Viniyoga Intervention Among Post-Treatment Breast Cancer Survivors

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