Yoga of Awareness program for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors: results from a randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
Breast cancer survivors have limited options for the treatment of hot flashes and related symptoms. Further, therapies widely used to prevent recurrence in survivors, such as tamoxifen, tend to induce or exacerbate menopausal symptoms. The aim of this preliminary, randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of a yoga intervention on menopausal symptoms in a sample of survivors of early-stage breast cancer (stages IA-IIB).


METHODS
Thirty-seven disease-free women experiencing hot flashes were randomized to the 8-week Yoga of Awareness program (gentle yoga poses, meditation, and breathing exercises) or to wait-list control. The primary outcome was daily reports of hot flashes collected at baseline, posttreatment, and 3 months after treatment via an interactive telephone system. Data were analyzed by intention to treat.


RESULTS
At posttreatment, women who received the yoga program showed significantly greater improvements relative to the control condition in hot-flash frequency, severity, and total scores and in levels of joint pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, symptom-related bother, and vigor. At 3 months follow-up, patients maintained their treatment gains in hot flashes, joint pain, fatigue, symptom-related bother, and vigor and showed additional significant gains in negative mood, relaxation, and acceptance.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study provides promising support for the beneficial effects of a comprehensive yoga program for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms in early-stage breast cancer survivors.
Carson
James W
JW
Department of Anesthesiology and Peri-operative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239, USA. carsonja@ohsu.edu
Carson
Kimberly M
KM
Porter
Laura S
LS
Keefe
Francis J
FJ
Seewaldt
Victoria L
VL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015013:Yoga