Sadja, J., & Mills, P.J. (2013). Effects of yoga interventions on fatigue in cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Explore, 9, 232–243.
DOI Link
Purpose
STUDY PURPOSE: To evaluate the evidence of effects of yoga on fatigue among cancer survivors
Search Strategy
Literature Evaluated
Sample Characteristics
- FINAL NUMBER STUDIES INCLUDED = 10
- TOTAL PATIENTS INCLUDED IN REVIEW = 583
- SAMPLE RANGE ACROSS STUDIES: 18–164
- KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: 564 women, 17 men; primarily breast cancer; 80%–100% Caucasian, with the exception of one study with 42% African-American, 31% Hispanic, 23% Caucasian, and 4% other
Phase of Care and Clinical Applications
PHASE OF CARE: Transition phase after active treatment
Results
Eight of 10 studies only had patients with breast cancer; various stages of cancer; no standard type of yoga intervention; little consistency in measuring fatigue; high risk of selection bias in included studies. In four studies the yoga group reported significant reduction in CRF; three studies reported that there were significant reductions in participants who attended a significant number of classes; four studies reported no differences in self-reported fatigue and no association with number of classes attended.
Conclusions
The authors suggest that yoga may be beneficial for CRF but urge caution. Small sample sizes and lack of standardization affect ability to draw conclusions. None of the studies reported increase in fatigue, thus no evidence that yoga is detrimental. Evidence of significant reduction of fatigue with number of classes attended.
Limitations
- Small number of studies
- Primarily women with breast cancer
- Methodological bias in many studies
Nursing Implications
There is suggestion that yoga may be beneficial; therefore, nurses can recommend this to appropriate individuals. Adherence impacts effect; therefore, it is important that the choice of activity fit with an individual’s lifestyle. More well-conducted studies are needed.