Yoga for persistent fatigue in breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Background Cancer-related fatigue afflicts up to one-third of breast cancer survivors, yet there are no empirically-validated treatments for this symptom. Methods We performed a two-group RCT to determine the feasibility and efficacy of an Iyengar yoga intervention for breast cancer survivors with persistent post-treatment fatigue. Participants were breast cancer patients who had completed cancer treatments (other than endocrine therapy) at least 6 months prior to enrollment, reported significant cancer-related fatigue, and had no other medical conditions that would account for fatigue symptoms or interfere with yoga practice. Block randomization was used to assign participants to a 12-week Iyengar-based yoga intervention or to 12 weeks of health education (control). The primary outcome was change in fatigue measured at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and 3 months after treatment completion. Additional outcomes included changes in vigor, depressive symptoms, sleep, perceived stress, and physical performance. Intent to treat analyses were conducted with all randomized participants using linear mixed models. Results Thirty-one women were randomly assigned to yoga (n = 16) or health education (n = 15). Fatigue severity declined significantly from baseline to post-treatment and over a 3 month follow-up in the yoga group relative to controls (P = .032). In addition, the yoga group showed significant increases in vigor relative to controls (P = .011). Both groups showed positive changes in depressive symptoms and perceived stress (P < .05). No significant changes in sleep or physical performance were observed. Conclusions A targeted yoga intervention led to significant improvements in fatigue and vigor among breast cancer survivors with persistent fatigue symptoms.

Post-operative exercises after breast cancer surgery: Results of a RCT evaluating standard care versus standard care plus additional yoga exercise

“…Reviews and metaanalyses evaluating the effect of yoga in randomised controlled trials (RCT) in women with breast cancer conclude there is moderate to good evidence that yoga may be a useful practice during recovery from treatment [11][12][13]. Despite an emerging number of large RCTs measuring the effectiveness of yoga on fatigue [14,15], sleep quality [16], QoL [17], and during radiotherapy [18], there is scope for more investigation into its physical benefits, in particular its role following breast cancer surgery.…”

The Effects of Yoga on Cancer-Related Fatigue and Global Side-Effect Burden in Older Cancer Survivors

“…This investigation into the benefits of yoga for older cancer survivors builds on previous research that has provided evidence for beneficial outcomes resulting from yoga interventions in cancer survivors [17][18][19][20][21][29][30][31][32][33]. Yoga has led to a number of improvements in cancer survivors, although not specifically in older cancer survivors, including reduced cancerrelated fatigue, sleep disturbances, depression, hot flash severity, and joint pain [16][17][18][19][20][21]. We can now conclude that yoga can improve cancer-related fatigue and global side-effect burden in cancer survivors 60 years of age and older.…”

“…Yoga, a specific type of exercise, has been found to improve a number of outcomes in cancer survivors including cancer-related fatigue, insomnia, depression, hot flash severity, joint pain as well as other side effects [16][17][18][19][20][21]. To date, however, no research has focused on using a yoga intervention to reduce cancer-related fatigue and global sideeffect burden in older cancer survivors, despite the promising outcomes of trials conducted in cancer survivors who are younger.…”

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“…It is like a vast sea which can subsume almost any practice blended with intention, awareness and relaxation [49]. Now the question before us is how can we empirically evaluate the effects of Yoga?…”