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Restorative yoga for women with breast cancer: findings from a randomized pilot study

  1. Suzanne C. Danhauer1,*,
  2. Shannon L. Mihalko1,2,
  3. Gregory B. Russell1,
  4. Cassie R. Campbell1,
  5. Lynn Felder3,
  6. Kristin Daley1,4,
  7. Edward A. Levine1

Article first published online: 25 FEB 2009

DOI: 10.1002/pon.1503

Issue

Psycho‐Oncology

Psycho-Oncology

Special Issue: Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors

Volume 18, Issue 4, pages 360–368, April 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Danhauer, S. C., Mihalko, S. L., Russell, G. B., Campbell, C. R., Felder, L., Daley, K. and Levine, E. A. (2009), Restorative yoga for women with breast cancer: findings from a randomized pilot study. Psycho-Oncology, 18: 360–368. doi: 10.1002/pon.1503

Author Information

  1. 1

    Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

  2. 2

    Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

  3. 3

    Arts of Yoga, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

  4. 4

    University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC, USA

*Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1082

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 20 MAR 2009
  2. Article first published online: 25 FEB 2009
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 17 OCT 2008
  4. Manuscript Revised: 25 SEP 2008
  5. Manuscript Received: 30 JUN 2008

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Keywords:

  • yoga;
  • mind-body;
  • cancer;
  • oncology;
  • well-being

Abstract

Objectives: Restorative yoga (RY) is a gentle type of yoga that may be beneficial for cancer patients and post-treatment survivors. Study goals were: to determine the feasibility of implementing a RY intervention for women with breast cancer; and to examine group differences in self-reported emotional, health-related quality of life, and symptom outcomes.

Methods: Women with breast cancer (n=44; mean age 55.8 years) enrolled in this study; 34% were actively undergoing cancer treatment. Study participants were randomized to the intervention (10 weekly 75-minute RY classes) or a waitlist control group. Participants completed questionnaires at Week 0 (baseline) and Week 10 (immediately post-intervention for the yoga group).

Results: Group differences favoring the yoga group were seen for mental health, depression, positive affect, and spirituality (peace/meaning). Significant baseline*group interactions were observed for negative affect and emotional well-being. Women with higher negative affect and lower emotional well-being at baseline derived greater benefit from the yoga intervention compared to those with similar values at baseline in the control group. The yoga group demonstrated a significant within-group improvement in fatigue; no significant difference was noted for the control group.

Conclusions: Although limited by sample size, these pilot data suggest potential benefit of RY on emotional outcomes and fatigue in cancer patients. This study demonstrates that a RY intervention is feasible for women with breast cancer; implications for study design and implementation are noted with an emphasis on program adoption and participant adherence. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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