Cancer survivors saw major improvements in sleep and well-being with one weekly practice

A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances in cancer survivors.(iStock)

The participants were randomly assigned to two groups.Half of them received only standard survivorship care without the yoga, while the other half received standard care and were also enrolled in the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program.

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As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses,breathing exercisesand mindfulness training.

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Based on questionnaires completed by the patients, the survivors in the yoga group experienced “moderate-to-large” reductions in overall mood disturbance, “small-to-medium” reductions in anxiety and “medium-to-large” reductions in fatigue, the study found.

The improvements in mood and fatigue appeared to be linked to yoga’s beneficial effect onsleep quality, according to the researchers.

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As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training.(iStock)

“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug,�

The study did not reveal any major safety concerns or serious adverse events related to the yoga practice.

“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug.”

The study did have some limitations, chiefly that the findings are preliminary and have not yet been peer-reviewed for a medical publication.

“The sample in our clinical trial was relatively homogeneous, with most participants being women (96%), breast cancer patients (75%), Caucasian (93%), and having some college or higher education (82%),” noted Choi.

“We are adapting our intervention to reach all cancer patients and survivors, including the creation of amobile appto reach people in rural communities.”

The research also excluded patients withmetastatic cancer(whose disease had spread to other parts of the body).

The total study was only four weeks, so more research is needed to determine long-term benefits.

If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted.(iStock)

If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted.

Some yoga studios may use different names for Gentle Hatha and Restorative yoga, such as Foundations Yoga or Healing Yoga, Choi noted. 

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“Survivors should also look for certified yoga instructors who have experience working withcancer patients/survivors or individualswith other challenging health conditions,” the researcher advised.“They should not be afraid to ask their oncology team for referrals to qualified instructors in their community.”

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Choi also noted that the research did not reveal whether other types of yoga, such as heated-room or rigorous-flow yoga, are safe or beneficial for cancer survivors.

The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute.

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