Yoga reduces anxiety and insomnia for cancer survivors, study finds
A new clinical trial has found that regular gentle hatha and restorative yoga can reduce emotional distress, anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia in people living with cancer. The results were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago, the world’s largest cancer conference. Researchers recruited 410 cancer survivors in the US, none of whom had done yoga in the previous three months and whose cancer had not spread. Participants had an average age of 54, and three-quarters had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The trial compared standard survivorship care alone with the same care plus a four-week Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program. YOCAS includes 18 gentle poses, breathing exercises, and mindfulness, with two instructor-led 75-minute classes per week plus at least 30 minutes of home practice. Assessments showed yoga participants experienced meaningfully less mood disturbance, anxiety, and fatigue compared to the standard care group.
What’s reported
The trial is described as the first clinical trial of its kind.
410 cancer survivors in the US participated; none had done yoga in the prior three months, and their cancer had not spread.
Average age was 54; three in four had breast cancer.
204 participants received standard survivorship care; 206 received standard care plus the YOCAS program.
YOCAS is a four-week program using 18 gentle hatha and restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises, and mindfulness.
The program included two 75-minute instructor-led classes and at least 30 minutes of home practice per week.
Participants’ mood, anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia were assessed via questionnaires.
The trial was funded by the National Cancer Institute.
Yoga participants had moderate-to-large reduction in mood disturbance, small-to-medium reduction in anxiety, and medium-to-large reduction in fatigue.
Lead author Yuri Choi is a research assistant professor at the University of Rochester medical centre.
Dr Fumiko Chino, a cancer researcher at MD Anderson Cancer Center and an ASCO expert not involved in the trial, called the study an important advance.
Key figures
Yuri Choi, lead study author and research assistant professor at the University of Rochester medical centre
Dr Fumiko Chino, cancer researcher and associate professor in breast radiation oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, ASCO expert in survivorship (not involved in the trial)
Sources: The Guardian
