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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2009 Apr;18(4):360-8.
doi: 10.1002/pon.1503.

Restorative yoga for women with breast cancer: findings from a randomized pilot study

Suzanne C Danhauer  1 , Shannon L Mihalko, Gregory B Russell, Cassie R Campbell, Lynn Felder, Kristin Daley, Edward A Levine
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Restorative yoga for women with breast cancer: findings from a randomized pilot study

Suzanne C Danhauer et al. Psychooncology. 2009 Apr.

Abstract

Objectives: Restorative yoga (RY) is a gentle type of yoga that may be beneficial for cancer patients and post-treatment survivors. Study goals were: to determine the feasibility of implementing a RY intervention for women with breast cancer; and to examine group differences in self-reported emotional, health-related quality of life, and symptom outcomes.

Methods: Women with breast cancer (n=44; mean age 55.8 years) enrolled in this study; 34% were actively undergoing cancer treatment. Study participants were randomized to the intervention (10 weekly 75-minute RY classes) or a waitlist control group. Participants completed questionnaires at Week 0 (baseline) and Week 10 (immediately post-intervention for the yoga group).

Results: Group differences favoring the yoga group were seen for mental health, depression, positive affect, and spirituality (peace/meaning). Significant baseline*group interactions were observed for negative affect and emotional well-being. Women with higher negative affect and lower emotional well-being at baseline derived greater benefit from the yoga intervention compared to those with similar values at baseline in the control group. The yoga group demonstrated a significant within-group improvement in fatigue; no significant difference was noted for the control group.

Conclusions: Although limited by sample size, these pilot data suggest potential benefit of RY on emotional outcomes and fatigue in cancer patients. This study demonstrates that a RY intervention is feasible for women with breast cancer; implications for study design and implementation are noted with an emphasis on program adoption and participant adherence.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow of participants through study
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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