Banerjee, B., Vadiraj, H.S., Ram, A., Rao, R., Jayapal, M., Gopinath, K.S., . . . Hande, M.P. (2007). Effects of an integrated yoga program in modulating psychosocial stress and radiation-induced genotoxic stress in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 6, 242–250.

The yoga intervention was a 90-minute, six-week course taught by expert yoga trainers. The course included meditative practices, various postures, guided imagery of cancer cells, positive thought provocation, chanting of various sounds according to the respective patient’s religious beliefs, awareness practices, deep relaxation, and soothing sound vibrations. Control group patients were given supportive counseling and advised to take light exercise.

• The study reported on a sample of 68 women with breast cancer receiving radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
• Of these, 58 completed the study: 35 in the yoga intervention group, and 23 in the supportive counseling group.

Three centers in India

A randomized controlled trial design was used.

• Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
• Perceived Stress Scale
• Alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay to study cellular DNA damage from peripheral blood

There was significant decrease in anxiety levels in the yoga intervention group (repeated measures ANCOVA, p < 0.001). Yoga intervention decreased anxiety in women with breast cancer receiving radiation therapy.

• The study had a small sample size.
• The study used a convenience sample: Patients may self-select to participate in a study they believe to be effective.
• Start of intervention was not linked to time into radiation treatment and/or administration of chemotherapy.
• Expert yoga trainers were required to administer the yoga courses.