title: "I'm 100% for it! I'm a convert!": women's experiences of a yoga programme during treatment for gynaecological cancer; an interpretative phenomenological analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore patients' experiences of taking part in a yoga intervention while undergoing treatment for gynaecological cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen women (age range 31-79 years; mean age 60) participated in focus groups based on a semi-structured question schedule. Resulting discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Royal Derby Hospital, UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients took part in a 10-week course of Hatha yoga, where they participated in a one hour long class per week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three themes emerged from the data: applying breathing techniques, engaging in the physicality of yoga and finding a community. The first theme was particularly important to the patients as they noted the breadth and applicability of the techniques in their day-to-day lives. The latter two themes reflect physical and social perspectives, which are established topics in the cancer and yoga literature and are contextualised here within the women's experiences of cancer treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The women's perceptions of the programme were generally positive, providing a previously unseen view of the patient experience of participating in a yoga intervention. The difference between the women's prior expectations and lived experiences is discussed.
authors: Centre for Patient Safety and Service Quality, Imperial College London, Medical School Building, St Mary's Campus Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Stephanie.archer@imperial.ac.uk.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Archer
authors: Psychology, University of Derby Online Learning, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB, United Kingdom. Electronic address: e.phillips@derby.ac.uk.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Phillips
authors: Psychology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB, United Kingdom. Electronic address: j.montague@derby.ac.uk.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Montague
authors: Royal Derby Hospital, Uttoxeter New Road, Derby DE22 3NE, United Kingdom. Electronic address: anish.bali@nhs.net.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bali
authors: Biomedical Science and Public Health, Department of Life Sciences, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB, United Kingdom. Electronic address: H.sowter@derby.ac.uk.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Sowter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D019122:Meditation / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D015013:Yoga / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Gynaecological cancer; Patient experience; Yoga