Author: Er-Jung Hsueh1, El-Wui Loh2,3,4, Joyce Jui-An Lin#5, Ka-Wai Tam#6,7,8,9
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Cancer Center, Yuan's General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
<sup>2</sup> Cochrane Taiwan, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
<sup>3</sup> Center for Evidence-Based Health Care, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
<sup>4</sup> Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
<sup>5</sup> School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. b101105054@tmu.edu.tw.
<sup>6</sup> Cochrane Taiwan, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. kelvintam@h.tmu.edu.tw.
<sup>7</sup> Center for Evidence-Based Health Care, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan. kelvintam@h.tmu.edu.tw.
<sup>8</sup> Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. kelvintam@h.tmu.edu.tw.
<sup>9</sup> Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, No. 291, Zhongzheng Road, Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, 23561, Taiwan. kelvintam@h.tmu.edu.tw.
Conference/Journal: Breast Cancer
Date published: 2021 Jan 15
Other:
Special Notes: doi: 10.1007/s12282-020-01209-6. , Word Count: 231
Background:
Complications of breast cancer treatment can cause physical and psychosocial distress in patients. Yoga demonstrates substantial potential as a supportive therapy for patients with breast cancer. Our aim is to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of yoga in enhancing the quality of life (QoL) of patients with breast cancer.
Methods:
We searched for studies published before March 2020 in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Individual effect sizes were standardized, and the pooled effect size was calculated using a random effect model. Measured outcomes included QoL, anxiety and depression, stress, fatigue, pain severity, and sleep quality.
Results:
In total, 26 trials involving 2069 patients were reviewed. Significant enhancement in QoL was observed immediately after the yoga intervention. The pooled mean differences in social (weighted mean difference [WMD]: 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12-2.61), emotional (WMD: 1.46, 95% CI 0.26-2.66), and functional well-being (WMD: 2.04, 95% CI 0.21-3.87) were significantly higher in the yoga group than in the control group. Patients practicing yoga exhibited significant improvements in physical well-being, mental well-being, and sleep quality as well as reductions in anxiety, depression, stress, fatigue, and pain severity after the intervention.
Conclusions:
Yoga may enhance QoL in patients with breast cancer experiencing post-treatment complications. Therefore, we recommend yoga as a supportive therapy for patients with breast cancer to relieve post-treatment distress.
Keywords: Breast cancer; Meta-analysis; Quality of life; Yoga.
PMID: 33452652 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-020-01209-6