BACKGROUND: Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years to improve physical and emotional well-being. Empirical research on yoga has been ongoing for several decades, including several recent studies conducted with cancer patients and survivors. METHODS: This review provides a general introduction to yoga and a detailed review of yoga research in cancer. RESULTS: Nine studies conducted with cancer patients and survivors yielded modest improvements in sleep quality, mood, stress, cancer-related distress, cancer-related symptoms, and overall quality of life. Studies conducted in other patient populations and healthy individuals have shown beneficial effects on psychological and somatic symptoms, as well as other aspects of physical function. CONCLUSIONS: Results from the emerging literature on yoga and cancer provide preliminary support for the feasibility and efficacy of yoga interventions for cancer patients, although controlled trials are lacking. Further research is required to determine the reliability of these effects and to identify their underlying mechanisms.
BACKGROUND: Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years to improve physical and emotional well-being. Empirical research on yoga has been ongoing for several decades, including several recent studies conducted with cancerpatients and survivors. METHODS: This review provides a general introduction to yoga and a detailed review of yoga research in cancer. RESULTS: Nine studies conducted with cancerpatients and survivors yielded modest improvements in sleep quality, mood, stress, cancer-related distress, cancer-related symptoms, and overall quality of life. Studies conducted in other patient populations and healthy individuals have shown beneficial effects on psychological and somatic symptoms, as well as other aspects of physical function. CONCLUSIONS: Results from the emerging literature on yoga and cancer provide preliminary support for the feasibility and efficacy of yoga interventions for cancerpatients, although controlled trials are lacking. Further research is required to determine the reliability of these effects and to identify their underlying mechanisms.
Authors: Rebecca A Campo; Neeraj Agarwal; Paul C LaStayo; Kathleen O'Connor; Lisa Pappas; Kenneth M Boucher; Jerry Gardner; Sierra Smith; Kathleen C Light; Anita Y Kinney Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2013-10-30 Impact factor: 4.442
Authors: Alyson J Littman; Lisa Cadmus Bertram; Rachel Ceballos; Cornelia M Ulrich; Jaya Ramaprasad; Bonnie McGregor; Anne McTiernan Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2011-01-05 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Maria Jose Santana; Julia S-Parrilla; Judith Mirus; Martha Loadman; Dale C Lien; David Feeny Journal: Can Respir J Date: 2013 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 2.409
Authors: S Hosakote Vadiraja; M Raghavendra Rao; R Hongasandra Nagendra; Raghuram Nagarathna; Mohan Rekha; Nanjundiah Vanitha; S Kodaganuru Gopinath; Bs Srinath; Ms Vishweshwara; Ys Madhavi; Basavalingaiah S Ajaikumar; S Bilimagga Ramesh; Nalini Rao Journal: Int J Yoga Date: 2009-07
Authors: Lis Adamsen; Morten Quist; Christina Andersen; Tom Møller; Jørn Herrstedt; Dorte Kronborg; Marie T Baadsgaard; Kirsten Vistisen; Julie Midtgaard; Birgitte Christiansen; Maria Stage; Morten T Kronborg; Mikael Rørth Journal: BMJ Date: 2009-10-13