Group Yoga Effects on Cancer Patient and Caregiver Symptom Distress: Assessment of Self-reported Symptoms at a Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Author: Lopez G1, Chaoul A1, Powers-James C1, Eddy CA1, Mallaiah S1, Gomez TI1, Williams JL1, Wei Q1, Bruera E1, Cohen L1
Affiliation:
11 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Conference/Journal: Integr Cancer Ther.
Date published: 2018 Aug 31
Other:
Volume ID: 1534735418795301 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1177/1534735418795301. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 256
BACKGROUND: Complementary and integrative health approaches such as yoga provide support for psychosocial health. We explored the effects of group-based yoga classes offered through an integrative medicine center at a comprehensive cancer center.
METHODS: Patients and caregivers had access to two yoga group classes: a lower intensity (YLow) or higher intensity (YHigh) class. Participants completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS; scale 0-10, 10 most severe) immediately before and after the class. ESAS subscales analyzed included global (GDS; score 0-90), physical (PHS; 0-60), and psychological distress (PSS; 0-20). Data were analyzed examining pre-yoga and post-yoga symptom scores using paired t-tests and between types of classes using ANOVAs.
RESULTS: From July 18, 2016, to August 8, 2017, 282 unique participants (205 patients, 77 caregivers; 85% female; ages 20-79 years) attended one or more yoga groups (mean 2.3). For all participants, we observed clinically significant reduction/improvement in GDS, PHS, and PSS scores and in symptoms (ESAS decrease ≥1; means) of anxiety, fatigue, well-being, depression, appetite, drowsiness, and sleep. Clinically significant improvement for both patients and caregivers was observed for anxiety, depression, fatigue, well-being, and all ESAS subscales. Comparing yoga groups, YLow contributed to greater improvement in sleep versus YHigh (-1.33 vs -0.50, P = .054). Improvement in fatigue for YLow was the greatest mean change (YLow -2.12).
CONCLUSION: A single yoga group class resulted in clinically meaningful improvement of multiple self-reported symptoms. Further research is needed to better understand how yoga class content, intensity, and duration can affect outcomes.
KEYWORDS: Edmonton Symptom Assessment System; complementary and integrative medicine; group program; integrative oncology; mind and body; self-reported outcomes; yoga
PMID: 30168358 DOI: 10.1177/1534735418795301
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