Silhouette of hands folded in prayer at sunset

Study on Vivekananda Yoga for lung cancer patients and caregivers

Kathrin Milbury et al.

September 2015

Cancer rehabilitation

Yoga (individual)

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center tested the feasibility and effectiveness of Vivekananda Yoga, a yoga tradition named after a Hindu monk, in patients with advanced lung cancer and their family caregivers.

The pair-based study assessed fatigue, sleep disturbance, psychological distress, overall quality of life, spirituality and relational closeness of the 15 dyads.

The lung cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy participated in a 15-session Vivekananda Yoga program together with their caregivers, of which an average of ten sessions were completed.

95.5% of the nine subjects who completed the program described the therapy as beneficial, the patients' mental health showed a significant increase, and the caregivers' sleep disturbances showed a decrease.

Vivekananda Yoga thus appears to be a safe, feasible and subjectively useful treatment for lung cancer patients and their caregivers.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Lung cancer, mental health
Institution: University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
Title: Study on Vivekananda Yoga for lung cancer patients and caregivers
Brief description: Study: Vivekananda Yoga in lung cancer patients and caregivers showed improved mental health & sleep. 95.5% found it beneficial.
Original title: Vivekananda Yoga Program for Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer and Their Family Caregivers
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25917816/