title: Anxiolytic effects of a yoga program in early breast cancer patients undergoing conventional treatment: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study compares the anxiolytic effects of a yoga program and supportive therapy in breast cancer outpatients undergoing conventional treatment at a cancer centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-eight stage II and III breast cancer outpatients were randomly assigned to receive yoga (n=45) or brief supportive therapy (n=53) prior to their primary treatment i.e., surgery. Only those subjects who received surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and six cycles of chemotherapy were chosen for analysis following intervention (yoga, n=18, control, n=20). Intervention consisted of yoga sessions lasting 60min daily while the control group was imparted supportive therapy during their hospital visits as a part of routine care. Assessments included Speilberger's State Trait Anxiety Inventory and symptom checklist. Assessments were done at baseline, after surgery, before, during, and after radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A GLM-repeated measures ANOVA showed overall decrease in both self-reported state anxiety (p<0.001) and trait anxiety (p=0.005) in yoga group as compared to controls. There was a positive correlation between anxiety states and traits with symptom severity and distress during conventional treatment intervals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that yoga can be used for managing treatment-related symptoms and anxiety in breast cancer outpatients.
authors.affiliation: Departments of CAM, Surgical Oncology, Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology, Bangalore Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India. raghav.hcgrf@gmail.com
authors.forename: M Raghavendra
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Nagarathna
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Raghuram
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Nagendra
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Gopinath
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Srinath
authors.forename: Ravi B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Diwakar
authors.forename: Shekar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.forename: S Ramesh
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Bilimagga
authors.forename: Nalini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Varambally
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015013:Yoga / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents