Effects of six months of Yoga on inflammatory serum markers prognostic of recurrence risk in breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Yoga-based exercise has proven to be beneficial for practitioners, including cancer survivors. This study reports on the effect on inflammatory biological markers for 20 breast cancer survivors who participated in a six-month yoga-based (YE) exercise program. Results are compared to a comprehensive exercise (CE) program group and a comparison (C) exercise group who chose their own exercises.“Pre” and “post” assessments included measures of anthropometrics, cardiorespiratory capacity, and inflammatory markers interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Descriptive statistics, effect size (d), and dependent sample ‘t’ tests for all outcome measures were calculated for the YE group.Significant improvements were seen in decreased % body fat, (−3.00%, d = −0.44, p = <.001) but not in cardiorespiratory capacity or in inflammatory serum markers. To compare YE outcomes with the other two groups, a one-way analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) was used, controlling for age, BMI, cardiorespiratory capacity and serum marker baseline values. We found no differences between groups. Moreover, we did not see significant changes in any inflammatory marker for any group.Our results support the effectiveness of yoga-based exercise modified for breast cancer survivors for improving body composition. Larger studies are needed to determine if there are significant changes in inflammatory serum markers as a result of specific exercise modalities.

Yoga for symptom management in oncology: A review of the evidence base and future directions for research

“…We identified 29 RCTs (see Table ): 13 RCTs were conducted during treatment (23 publications), 12 were conducted after treatment was completed (20 publications), and 4 included participants both during and after treatment. Only 4 studies included an active comparison group, such as supportive counseling, stretching, or a physical‐activity control group, and the others used a waitlist method or a usual‐care control group.…”

Exploratory outcome assessment of Qigong/Tai Chi Easy on breast cancer survivors

“…One study showed no weight loss, but decreased body fat and increased muscle mass for BCSs practicing yoga, indicating positive body composition changes, 60 but otherwise this has not been a topic of much research.…”

Yoga for the Management of Cancer Treatment-Related Toxicities

“…Several studies showed the influence of yoga on inflammation [50•, 57•, 60, 73, 74] and diurnal cortisol rhythms [49, 50•, 67]. For examples, Bower et al [50•] showed that breast cancer survivors who participated in 12 weeks of Iyengar yoga exhibited reduced activity of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), increased activity of the anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid receptor, and reduced activity of the cAMP response element-binding (CREB) protein family transcription factors.…”

“…Kiecolt-Glaser et al [57•] also showed that 12 weeks of hatha yoga help reduced plasma IL-6 and IL-1β in breast cancer survivors and the reduction of these inflammation markers was associated with reduced CRF. However, Long Parma et al [73] found no changes in inflammatory markers among breast cancer survivors who participated in a 6-month yoga program. Banasik et al [49] showed that breast cancer survivors had lower morning and early evening salivary cortisol levels and improved emotional well-being and fatigue scores after 8 weeks of yoga practice compared to those in the standard care group.…”