Tracey Carr1, Elizabeth Quinlan2, Susan Robertson3, Wendy Duggleby4, Roanne Thomas5, Lorraine Holtslander6. 1. Postdoctoral Fellow, at the Department of Sociology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. 2. Associate Professor, at the Department of Sociology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. 3. Research Associate, at the Department of Sociology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. 4. Professor, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton. 5. Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa. 6. Associate Professor, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.
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.
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 cancerpatients. 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.