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Randomized pilot trial of yoga versus strengthening exercises in breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue

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Supportive Care in Cancer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Fatigue is one of the most common and bothersome refractory symptoms experienced by cancer survivors. Mindful exercise interventions such as yoga improve cancer-related fatigue; however, studies of yoga have included heterogeneous survivorship populations, and the effect of yoga on fatigued survivors remains unclear.

Methods

We randomly assigned 34 early-stage breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue (≥4 on a Likert scale from 1–10) within 1 year from diagnosis to a 12-week intervention of home-based yoga versus strengthening exercises, both presented on a DVD. The primary endpoints were feasibility and changes in fatigue, as measured by the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-Short Form (MFSI-SF). Secondary endpoint was quality of life, assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapies-Breast (FACT-B).

Results

We invited 401 women to participate in the study; 78 responded, and we enrolled 34. Both groups had significant within-group improvement in multiple domains of the fatigue and quality of life scores from baseline to post-intervention, and these benefits were maintained at 3 months post-intervention. However, there was no significant difference between groups in fatigue or quality of life at any assessment time. Similarly, there was no difference between groups in adherence to the exercise intervention.

Conclusions

Both DVD-based yoga and strengthening exercises designed for cancer survivors may be good options to address fatigue in breast cancer survivors. Both have reasonable uptake, are convenient and reproducible, and may be helpful in decreasing fatigue and improving quality of life in the first year post-diagnosis in breast cancer patients with cancer-related fatigue.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to acknowledge our valuable participants, and we thank Lace Up Against Breast Cancer (LAUBC) for funding this study. Special thanks go to Mrs. Kristi Simmons and Mrs. Linda C. Allen for help with editing the manuscript. We are indebted to Camille Kittrell, M.S., producer of the Exclusive Yoga DVD, for allowing us to use this program in our study. This paper was presented as an oral presentation at the Supportive Care in Cancer MASCC/ISOO 2015 International Symposium in Copenhagen on June 25–27, 2015.

Authors’ contributions

All the authors were involved with development of the study concept, design, data analysis, and manuscript writing and editing. Dr. Stan, Dr. Ivana Croghan, and Dr. Pruthi were involved with study oversight. Katrina Croghan participated in patient recruitment, data collection, and development of study materials. Sarah Jenkins provided statistical support. Dr. Cheville was part of the team that developed the REST strengthening exercise DVD used in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Breast Diagnostic Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Daniela L. Stan & Sandhya Pruthi

  2. Cancer Center Clinical Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Katrina A. Croghan

  3. Nicotine Research Program and Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Ivana T. Croghan

  4. Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Sarah M. Jenkins

  5. Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Stephanie J. Sutherland

  6. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Andrea L. Cheville

Authors
  1. Daniela L. Stan
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  2. Katrina A. Croghan
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  3. Ivana T. Croghan
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  4. Sarah M. Jenkins
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  5. Stephanie J. Sutherland
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  6. Andrea L. Cheville
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  7. Sandhya Pruthi
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Correspondence to Daniela L. Stan.

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Stan, D.L., Croghan, K.A., Croghan, I.T. et al. Randomized pilot trial of yoga versus strengthening exercises in breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue. Support Care Cancer 24, 4005–4015 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3233-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3233-z

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