Yoga as palliation in women with advanced cancer: a pilot study

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the palliative potential of home-based yoga sessions provided to women with advanced cancer.

Method: Personalised 45-minute yoga sessions were offered to three women with advanced cancer by an experienced yoga teacher. Each woman took part in a one-to-one interview after the completion of the yoga programme and was asked to describe her experiences of the programme's impact.

Results: The personalised nature of the yoga sessions resulted in similar positive physical and psychosocial effects comparable to those demonstrated in other studies with cancer patients. Participants described physical, mental, and emotional benefits as well as the alleviation of illness impacts. The enhancement of mind-body and body-spirit connections were also noted.

Conclusion: Personalised home-based yoga programmes for people with advanced cancer may produce similar benefits, including palliation, as those institutionally-based programmes for people with non-advanced cancer.

Keywords: Advanced cancer; Interviews; Qualitative content analysis; Yoga.