SouthernWorldwide.com – A recent study has indicated that yoga, a practice widely recognized for its benefits in promoting relaxation, strength, and flexibility, may also significantly enhance the quality of life for cancer survivors.
A randomized trial conducted by the University of Rochester Medical Center revealed that a four-week yoga program led to substantial improvements in cancer survivors, effectively reducing insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, and mood disturbances experienced post-treatment.
These findings were officially presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting held in Chicago.
The research involved 410 adult cancer survivors, with an average age of 54, across various U.S. community cancer care centers. A significant majority, approximately 75%, were breast cancer survivors. Crucially, none of the participants had engaged in regular yoga practice in the three months preceding the study.
Participants were randomly allocated into two groups. One group received only standard survivorship care, while the other group received standard care along with participation in the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program.
Within the YOCAS program, survivors engaged in two 75-minute instructor-led yoga sessions weekly. These sessions incorporated 18 specific poses from Gentle Hatha and Restorative yoga styles, alongside breathing exercises and mindfulness training.
The study’s results, based on patient-completed questionnaires, showed that participants in the yoga group experienced “moderate-to-large” reductions in overall mood disturbance, “small-to-medium” reductions in anxiety, and “medium-to-large” reductions in fatigue.
Researchers suggested that these improvements in mood and fatigue were likely connected to the positive impact of yoga on sleep quality.
The study reported no significant safety concerns or serious adverse events associated with the yoga practice.
However, the study did acknowledge certain limitations, primarily that the findings are preliminary and have not yet undergone peer review for publication in a medical journal.
Dr. Choi, a lead researcher, noted that the study sample was relatively homogeneous, consisting mainly of women (96%), breast cancer patients (75%), Caucasians (93%), and individuals with some college education or higher (82%).
Efforts are underway to adapt the intervention to be more accessible to all cancer patients and survivors, including the development of a mobile app to reach individuals in rural areas.
It is important to note that the research excluded patients with metastatic cancer, meaning cancer that had spread to other parts of the body.
Given the study’s duration of only four weeks, further research is necessary to ascertain the long-term benefits of yoga for cancer survivors.
If these findings are corroborated by peer-reviewed publications, the researchers indicated that structured yoga programs could potentially be recommended as a non-pharmacological supportive therapy for cancer survivors.
Dr. Choi also pointed out that some yoga studios might use alternative names for Gentle Hatha and Restorative yoga, such as Foundations Yoga or Healing Yoga.
Survivors are advised to seek out certified yoga instructors with prior experience working with cancer patients or individuals facing other challenging health conditions. It is recommended that they consult their oncology team for referrals to qualified instructors in their local communities.
Dr. Choi further clarified that the current research did not investigate the safety or benefits of other yoga styles, such as hot yoga or vigorous flow yoga, for cancer survivors.
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The research was supported by funding from the National Cancer Institute.
