Yoga, breast cancer-related lymphoedema and well-being: A descriptive report of women's participation in a clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the experiences of women taking part in a yoga intervention trial for breast cancer-related lymphoedema.


BACKGROUND
Around 20% of women will experience lymphoedema as a consequence of treatment for breast cancer. Specialist lymphoedema clearing, along with self-management, remains the mainstay of therapy. Yoga, an increasingly popular complementary therapeutic practice, may provide another tool to augment self-management.


METHODS
A qualitative, descriptive design.


METHODS
Interviews were conducted with 15 women with stage one breast cancer-related lymphoedema who had completed an 8-week yoga intervention trial. The intervention consisted of a weekly teacher-led 1.5-hr yoga class and a daily home practice using a 45-min DVD. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed. These data were then analysed using an iterative-thematic approach.


RESULTS
Participants reported improved well-being, increased awareness of their physical body as well as improved physical, mental and social functioning. They gained from being part of the yoga group that also provided a forum for them to share their experiences. Nine women felt empowered to describe their yoga participation as a transformative journey through illness.


CONCLUSIONS
When safe to do so, the holistic practice of yoga may augment and provide additional benefit to current self-management and treatment practices for women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with breast cancer-related lymphoedema may seek advice and guidance from nurses and other healthcare professionals on a range of complementary therapies to help relieve symptoms and promote recovery. Patients who choose to augment their treatment of breast cancer-related lymphoedema by practicing yoga should be carefully assessed, be taught an appropriate technique by a qualified yoga teacher/therapist and its impact monitored by their yoga teacher/therapist, breast care nurse, lymphoedema therapist or treating clinician.
Forest Yoga Massage and Pilates, Forestville, NSW, Australia.
Annette
A
Loudon
Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tas., Australia.
Tony
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1376-6414
T
Barnett
Exercise Science, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tas., Australia.
Andrew
A
Williams
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D000073278:Self-Management / Q000379:methods*; D015013:Yoga / Q000523:psychology*
breast cancer; exercise; journey; lymphoedema; nursing; well-being; women; yoga