title: Influence of yoga on postoperative outcomes and wound healing in early operable breast cancer patients undergoing surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pre- and postoperative distress in breast cancer patients can cause complications and delay recovery from surgery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of yoga intervention on postoperative outcomes and wound healing in early operable breast cancer patients undergoing surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-eight recently diagnosed stage II and III breast cancer patients were recruited in a randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of a yoga program with supportive therapy and exercise rehabilitation on postoperative outcomes and wound healing following surgery. Subjects were assessed at the baseline prior to surgery and four weeks later. Sociodemographic, clinical and investigative notes were ascertained in the beginning of the study. Blood samples were collected for estimation of plasma cytokines-soluble Interleukin (IL)-2 receptor (IL-2R), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma. Postoperative outcomes such as the duration of hospital stay and drain retention, time of suture removal and postoperative complications were ascertained. We used independent samples t test and nonparametric Mann Whitney U tests to compare groups for postoperative outcomes and plasma cytokines. Regression analysis was done to determine predictors for postoperative outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-nine patients contributed data to the current analysis (yoga: n = 33, control: n = 36). The results suggest a significant decrease in the duration of hospital stay (P = 0.003), days of drain retention (P = 0.001) and days for suture removal (P = 0.03) in the yoga group as compared to the controls. There was also a significant decrease in plasma TNF alpha levels following surgery in the yoga group (P < 0.001), as compared to the controls. Regression analysis on postoperative outcomes showed that the yoga intervention affected the duration of drain retention and hospital stay as well as TNF alpha levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest possible benefits of yoga in reducing postoperative complications in breast cancer patients.
authors.forename: Raghavendra M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Nagendra
authors.forename: Nagarathna
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Raghuram
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vinay
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chandrashekara
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Gopinath
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Srinath