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Review
. 2018 Feb 1;20(1):5.
doi: 10.1007/s11912-018-0657-2.

Yoga for the Management of Cancer Treatment-Related Toxicities

Po-Ju Lin  1 , Luke J Peppone  1 , Michelle C Janelsins  1 , Supriya G Mohile  2 , Charles S Kamen  1 , Ian R Kleckner  1 , Chunkit Fung  2 , Matthew Asare  1 , Calvin L Cole  3 , Eva Culakova  1 , Karen M Mustian  4
Affiliations
Review

Yoga for the Management of Cancer Treatment-Related Toxicities

Po-Ju Lin et al. Curr Oncol Rep. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: To (1) explain what yoga is, (2) summarize published literature on the efficacy of yoga for managing cancer treatment-related toxicities, (3) provide clinical recommendations on the use of yoga for oncology professionals, and (4) suggest promising areas for future research.

Recent findings: Based on a total of 24 phase II and one phase III clinical trials, low-intensity forms of yoga, specifically gentle hatha and restorative, are feasible, safe, and effective for treating sleep disruption, cancer-related fatigue, cognitive impairment, psychosocial distress, and musculoskeletal symptoms in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation and cancer survivors. Clinicians should consider prescribing yoga for their patients suffering with these toxicities by referring them to qualified yoga professionals. More definitive phase III clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings and to investigate other types, doses, and delivery modes of yoga for treating cancer-related toxicities in patients and survivors.

Keywords: Cancer-related fatigue; Cognitive impairment; Musculoskeletal symptoms; Psychological distress; Sleep disorder; Yoga.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Po-Ju Lin declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Luke J. Peppone declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Michelle C. Janelsins declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Supriya G. Mohile has served as a consultant for Seattle Genetics.

Charles Kamen declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Ian R. Kleckner is supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute.

Chunkit Fung declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Matthew Asare declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Calvin L. Cole declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Eva Culakova declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Karen M. Mustian declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The theoretical model of behavioral and biological systems affected by yoga intervention on cancer treatment-related toxicities
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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