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Yoga of Awareness program for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors: results from a randomized trial

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Abstract

Goal of work

Breast cancer survivors have limited options for the treatment of hot flashes and related symptoms. Further, therapies widely used to prevent recurrence in survivors, such as tamoxifen, tend to induce or exacerbate menopausal symptoms. The aim of this preliminary, randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of a yoga intervention on menopausal symptoms in a sample of survivors of early-stage breast cancer (stages IA–IIB).

Materials and methods

Thirty-seven disease-free women experiencing hot flashes were randomized to the 8-week Yoga of Awareness program (gentle yoga poses, meditation, and breathing exercises) or to wait-list control. The primary outcome was daily reports of hot flashes collected at baseline, posttreatment, and 3 months after treatment via an interactive telephone system. Data were analyzed by intention to treat.

Main results

At posttreatment, women who received the yoga program showed significantly greater improvements relative to the control condition in hot-flash frequency, severity, and total scores and in levels of joint pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, symptom-related bother, and vigor. At 3 months follow-up, patients maintained their treatment gains in hot flashes, joint pain, fatigue, symptom-related bother, and vigor and showed additional significant gains in negative mood, relaxation, and acceptance.

Conclusions

This pilot study provides promising support for the beneficial effects of a comprehensive yoga program for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms in early-stage breast cancer survivors.

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Notes

  1. Yoga poses consisted of either a mat-based sequence (Warm-ups, Child’s pose, Table, Downward-Facing Dog Flow, Half Moon, Warrior 1 Flow, Extended Side Angle, Modified Locust, Supine Squats, Supine Big-Toe, Supine Sage Twist with Bolster, Corpse) or a chair-based sequence (Warm-ups, Cat/Cow, Thoracic Spine Twist Flow, Sun Salutation, Standing Wide Angle Fold, Standing Wide Angle Fold with Thoracic Twist, Prayer Flow, Seated Wide Angle Fold, Head To Knee, Pigeon, Forward Fold, Modified Sage Twist, Seal of Yoga, Corpse).

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Acknowledgment

This work was supported by a grant from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology and Peri-operative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., UHS, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    James W. Carson

  2. 0409 S.W. Idaho Street, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Kimberly M. Carson

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Box 90399, Durham, NC, 27708, USA

    Laura S. Porter & Francis J. Keefe

  4. Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2628, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Victoria L. Seewaldt

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  1. James W. Carson
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  2. Kimberly M. Carson
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Correspondence to James W. Carson.

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Carson, J.W., Carson, K.M., Porter, L.S. et al. Yoga of Awareness program for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors: results from a randomized trial. Support Care Cancer 17, 1301–1309 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-009-0587-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-009-0587-5

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