Anxiolytic effects of a yoga program in early breast cancer patients undergoing conventional treatment: a randomized controlled trial.
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.
Rao
M Raghavendra
MR
Departments of CAM, Surgical Oncology, Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology, Bangalore Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India. raghav.hcgrf@gmail.com
Raghuram
Nagarathna
N
Nagendra
H R
HR
Gopinath
K S
KS
Srinath
B S
BS
Diwakar
Ravi B
RB
Patil
Shekar
S
Bilimagga
S Ramesh
SR
Rao
Nalini
N
Varambally
S
S
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*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents