Alison S Levine1, Judith L Balk. 1. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 532 Scaife Hall, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. levine.ali@gmail.com
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Studies show benefits of yoga for breast cancer patients with poor quality of life (QOL); however, none exclusively focus on survivors. This study addresses whether hatha yoga improves breast cancer survivors' QOL. METHODS: 25 breast cancer survivors completed six weeks of yoga. Outcome measures were 5 QOL categories evaluated using the FACT-B survey pre and post-intervention and after 6 months. RESULTS: Each category was evaluated independently, including: physical (PWB), social (SWB), emotional (EWB), functional (FWB), breast cancer specific well-being (BCS), Trial Outcome Index (TOI), FACT-G, and FACT-B. Significant improvement was found in all categories except social well-being (PWB p = .013, EWB p = .005, FWB p = .003, BCS p < .001, TOI p < .001, FACT-G p = .004, FACT-B p < .001). Patients with below average pre-intervention index scores (n = 13) showed greater improvement in EWB and FWB, while those with above average pre-intervention scores (n = 9) showed greater improvement in PWB. CONCLUSIONS: Yoga may be feasible and clinically useful for breast cancer survivors with poor QOL.
INTRODUCTION: Studies show benefits of yoga for breast cancerpatients with poor quality of life (QOL); however, none exclusively focus on survivors. This study addresses whether hatha yoga improves breast cancer survivors' QOL. METHODS: 25 breast cancer survivors completed six weeks of yoga. Outcome measures were 5 QOL categories evaluated using the FACT-B survey pre and post-intervention and after 6 months. RESULTS: Each category was evaluated independently, including: physical (PWB), social (SWB), emotional (EWB), functional (FWB), breast cancer specific well-being (BCS), Trial Outcome Index (TOI), FACT-G, and FACT-B. Significant improvement was found in all categories except social well-being (PWB p = .013, EWB p = .005, FWB p = .003, BCS p < .001, TOI p < .001, FACT-G p = .004, FACT-B p < .001). Patients with below average pre-intervention index scores (n = 13) showed greater improvement in EWB and FWB, while those with above average pre-intervention scores (n = 9) showed greater improvement in PWB. CONCLUSIONS: Yoga may be feasible and clinically useful for breast cancer survivors with poor QOL.
Authors: Ram R Amritanshu; Raghavendra Mohan Rao; Raghuram Nagaratna; Vidya Harini Veldore; Mr Usha Usha Rani; Kodaganur S Gopinath; B S Ajaikumar Journal: Indian J Palliat Care Date: 2017 Jul-Sep