The Yoga Mat, Where East Meets West: Evaluating a Structured Yoga Practice on Common Side Effects of Chemotherapy/Biotherapy in Cancer Patients
- Patricia Johnson, BS, RN, OCN, CBCN – Oncology Care Coordinator, Breast Care Navigator; University of Vermont Health Network CVPH
- Carlyn Haag, MS, RN-BC, CCRN-K
- Mary Nolan, RN, OCN UVMHN- Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Plattsburgh, NY
As published in the Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship. (September 2019 Vol 10, N0 9). Read full results.
Background: Eight of the most commonly experienced physiological and psychosocial side effects of cancer chemotherapy/biotherapy are pain, tiredness, drowsiness, nausea, lack of appetite, shortness of breath, depression, and anxiety. Yoga is a complementary health approach recognized by the National Institutes of Health.
Objectives: To evaluate the effects of a structured yoga program on specific physiological and psychosocial side effects in patients undergoing active treatment with chemotherapy/biotherapy.
Methods: This quantitative, non-experimental pilot study with anecdotal commentary utilized descriptive statistics. Participants (N = 8) self-rated these side effects using a validated instrument at 10 points during an 8-week structured yoga intervention. Effect size and means were calculated at select data points: baseline, week 8, and 1 month after study completion.
Results: Reported ratings demonstrated improvement in many symptoms at week 8, and an increase in some of these symptoms’ recurrence 1 month after study completion. Interestingly, participants’ self-report of overall well-being demonstrated a positive improvement. Effect size was calculated: Cohen’s d of 0.56 measured from baseline to week 8 yielded a medium effect size, and Cohen’s d of 0.36 measured from week 8 to post study completion yielded a small effect size.
Conclusions: Participants in a structured yoga program reported a decrease in many of the negative side effects of chemotherapy/biotherapy and improvement in feeling of overall well-being. Limitations of this study included variability of cancer diagnoses, sample size, and consistency of class attendance. Yoga can be one of many supports offered by the oncology nurse navigator.
