Women who take yoga classes during radiation treatment for breast cancer may function better physically and feel better about their overall health, according to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center researchers
The researchers on June 4th presented the results of a small study involving 61 breast cancer patients at the annual scientific meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
"The main objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of integrating a daily yoga program into the treatment care plan for women with breast cancer undergoing radiation treatment, and determine if this is something the patients found useful and enjoyable, as well as assessing aspects of their quality of life," said Lorenzo Cohen, irector of the Integrative Medicine Program at M. D. Anderson.
In the study, the patients -- with Stage 0 to Stage 3 breast cancer -- were randomized to participate in the yoga classes twice weekly at, or around, the time of their radiation appointments, or, as the control group, to be offered yoga post-treatment.
The yoga program was designed specifically for breast cancer patients, emphasizing breathing and relaxation, and excluding some positions that mighe be difficult given the patients' possible weakened range of motion.
After just one week of yoga and radiation, the patients reported significantly increased physical function, as well as improved general health, compared to the control group.
The study participants also reported marginally better social functioning, significantly lower levels of sleep-related daytime dysfunction, as well as marginally lower levels of fatigue overall. No differences in the level of depression or anxiety were found between the two groups.
As a result of the findings, M.D. Anderson is conducting a follow-up study, funded by the National Cancer Institute, in breast cancer patients receiving radiation comparing yoga to stretching exercises and standard care.
