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Study on the effect of yoga on breast cancer patients

Raghavendra Mohan Rao et al.

May 2015

Cancer rehabilitation

Yoga (individual)

Healthcare Global Enterprises Ltd. in India was interested in the effect of yoga on depression in breast cancer patients.

It conducted a randomized study of 98 stage II and III breast cancer subjects, 45 of whom received yoga therapy and 53 of whom received supportive therapy,each for 60-minute daily sessions over 24 weeks.

Both groups also received conventional treatment consisting of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy (CT) or both. The Beck Depression Inventory and a symptom checklist were evaluated at baseline, after surgery, before, during and after RT and CT.

The results indicate an overall decrease in self-reported depression in both groups. A significant reduction in depression occurred in the yoga group after surgery, RT and CT. The measured values correlated with the symptoms.

The study thus suggests a possible antidepressant effect of yoga on breast cancer patients undergoing conventional treatment.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Depression and breast cancer
Institution: Department of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Healthcare Global Enterprises Ltd, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Title: Study on the effect of yoga on breast cancer patients
Brief description: Study shows: Yoga significantly reduces depression in breast cancer patients during conventional treatment with radiotherapy.
Original title: Effects of an integrated Yoga Program on Self-reported Depression Scores in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Conventional Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26009671/