Research proven benefits of yoga

“Living Beyond: The Research
Proven Benefits of Yoga”
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Goals for Our Time Together
• Overview of yoga as it
relates to everyday vibrant
living
• Experience the art of the
breath to manage various
symptoms
• Foster the richness of
movement for healing
• Cultivate mindfulness in
daily activities
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Yoga for Breast Cancer
Survivors
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Addressing cancer survivorship through public health: an update from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, Fairley TL ; Pollack LA ; Moore AR ; Smith JL,
Journal of Women's Health 2009 Oct; 18(10): 1525-31
• Currently, there are nearly 12 million cancer survivors living in
the United States. They face a myriad of personal and health
issues related to their cancer treatment.
• Increased recognition of cancer survivorship as a distinct and
important phase that follows the diagnosis and treatment of
cancer has contributed to the development of public health-
related strategies and plans to address those strategies.
• CDC's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control (DCPC) uses
an interdisciplinary public health approach to address the
needs of cancer survivors through applied research, public
health surveillance and data collection, education, and health
promotion, especially among underserved populations that
may be at risk for health disparities.
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The Benefits of Yoga
• asthma
• cardiac conditions
• arthritis
• kyphosis
• multiple sclerosis
• epilepsy
• headache
• depression
• diabetes
• pain disorders
• gastrointestinal disorders
• addictions
• healthy individuals
• The effects of yoga have been explored in a number of
patient populations, including individuals with:
• In recent years, investigators have begun to examine the
effects of yoga among cancer patients and survivors.
(Bower JE, et al, 2005)
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Different Schools of Hatha Yoga Commonly Practiced in the United States
School
Focus Description
Ananda Enlightenment Tool for spiritual growth while releasing unwanted
tensions. Uses silent affirmations while holding a pose
as a technique for aligning body, energy, and mind.
Series of gentle poses designed to move energy upward
to the brain, preparing the body for meditation.
Anusara The Heart Founded by John Friend in 1997, anusara yoga
integrates the celebration of the heart, universal
principles of alignment, and balanced energetic action
in the performance of asana. Anusara (pronounced ah-
new-SAR-ah) means “following your heart.” In this
school of yoga, each student’s abilities and limitations
are deeply respected and honored.
Ashtanga/Power
Yoga
Fitness Athletic; Fast Paced and non-stop; not recommended
for beginning students. At the core is linking the
breath with each movement throughout the practice.
Power Yoga is a derivative, using a more creative
sequence of postures.
Bikram/Hot Yoga Healing Athletic; Practiced in a room heated to 100+ degrees,
thus "Hot" Yoga. Sauna-like effect helps move the
toxins out of your body.

Hatha Yoga Holistic A major branch of yoga, developed by Goraksha and other
adepts c. 1000 CE, and emphasizing the physical aspects of
the transformative path, notably postures (asana) and
cleansing techniques (shodhana), but also breath control
(pranayama).
Integral Enlightenment Aimed at helping people integrate yoga's teachings into
their everyday work and relationships. Incorporates guided
relaxation, breathing practices, sound vibration (repetition
of a mantra or chant), and silent meditation.
Iyengar Detail Technical yoga, an intense focus on the subtleties of each
posture; great for beginning students. Strong focus on
precise muscular and skeletal alignment; emphasizes
therapeutic properties of the poses. Poses (especially
standing postures) are typically held much longer than in
other schools of yoga to focus on alignment. Use of props
(belts, chairs, blocks, and blankets) to accommodate special
needs such as injuries or structural imbalances.
Kripalu Healing Therapeutic; gentle and spiritually focused; great for
beginning students. Incorporates inner focus and
meditation within the yoga poses. Focus on alignment,
breath, and the presence of consciousness. Holding of the
postures to the level of tolerance and beyond. Deepens
concentration and focus of internal thoughts and emotions.
Kundalini Enlightenment Dynamic; Esoteric; Energizing; Aimed at invoking dormant
spiritual energy at the base of the spine. Incorporates
breath-work, movement, postures, chanting, and meditating
on mantras.

Sivananda Enlightenment Traditional approach; can become very advanced. Rigid
class structure of poses, breath-work, meditation, and
relaxation. Emphasizes 12 basic postures to increase
strength and flexibility of the spine. Focus on proper pose,
breathing, relaxation, and diet (vegetarian), and positive
thinking and meditation.
Tantra Sensuality Perhaps the most misunderstood yoga style, tantra is not
about sexual indulgence. Rather, it is about discovering
and stimulating sensual spirituality. This yoga works with
the highly charged kundalini energy and, therefore, should
always be guided and taught by a teacher. Tantra teaches
practitioners how to use this energy for sexual pleasure, for
bringing joy and wholeness to everyday life, and for aiding
in spiritual evolution. Tantra yoga includes visualization,
chanting, asana, and strong breathing practices.
Viniyoga Healing Therapeutic; repetitious movements in and out of a
posture. Individualistic; poses are synchronized with the
breath in sequences determined by the needs of the
practitioner. Highly adaptable, thus good for students with
physical injuries or limitations.

Yoga Breath Regulation
(Pranayama)
100 different
combinations of
breathing patterns
Used as energy
management tools to
affect the high energy
response to stress or
the opposite, low-
energy, withdrawn,
depressed person
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Where’s the Evidence?
• You hear that yoga is good
during survivorship. You
want to make sure that the
intervention is effective
and appropriate. You
explore information on the
internet:
• Which articles should you
use?
• Is all this evidence of equal
value?
• How do you find a class
that fits your needs?
• Will your healthcare
professional be able to
assist in your decision
making?
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Complementary and alternative therapies: Do they improve
quality of life for women with breast cancer? Bleakley K, Stinson
M, Physical Therapy Reviews 2011 VOL. 16 NO. 2
• The growing incidence of breast
cancer in women has inevitably
resulted in the expansion of the
roles of health care practitioners
in breast cancer care.
• Women with a diagnosis of
breast cancer are increasingly
turning to complementary and
alternative medicine (CAM).
GOAL: amongst others, to
improve their quality of life.
• Health care professionals are
beginning to question if there is a
place for it in their practice.
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• Major findings: Following a
detailed search of nine
electronic databases (AMED,
EMBASE, Medline,
BritishNursing Index, PsychINFO,
CINAHL, Cochrane Library, OTD
Base and Google Scholar)
between the years 2000 and
2010,
• 8 relevant studies were
identified.
• Three of these studies focused
on CAM as a whole system
• 3 - yoga,
• 1 - progressive muscle relaxation
training and guided imagery and
• 1- therapeutic massage.
• 6 of the 8 studies, concluded
that complementary and
alternative therapies improved
quality of life in women with
breast cancer.
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What’s the Evidence for Yoga?
• Asking the right clinical question
for your particular need is key.
• If you have other orthopedic
issues in addition to your cancer
diagnosis, adaptations are
necessary
• Restorative postures are key for
cancer-related fatigue
• Specific postures have been
shown to address menopausal
symptoms
• Yoga can be helpful in managing
painful joints for women taking
aromatase inhibitors
• Improving mood and quality of
life is a key overarching goal of
the regular use of yoga Brought to you by

Can Yoga Make A Difference in Low Back Pain?
The impact of modified Hatha yoga on chronic low back pain: a pilot study.
Galantino ML, Bzdewka TM, Eissler-Russo JL, Holbrook ML, Mogck EP, Geigle P, Farrar JT.
Altern Ther Health Med. 2004 Mar-Apr;10(2):56-9.
• Quantitative results: Mean
scores for ODI suggested a trend
toward decreased disability in the
yoga group. BDI for the
experimental demonstrated
slight decrease in depression for
the yoga group. The FR and SR
showed trends in improved
balance and flexibility for the
yoga group.
• Qualitative results: Analysis of
the qualitative data revealed the
following themes from journal
entries:
• (1) group intervention motivated
the participants and
• (2) yoga fostered relaxation and
new awareness/learning.
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Mountain Pose - Tadasana & Tree -
Vrikshasana
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Pain Management and Yoga
• Effects of chemical dependence on affective
disorders in pain management is well documented
• Yoga has been shown to decrease somatic
complaints in normal women
• Shavasana or corpse pose (supine) is an effective
technique for alleviating depression and increase
positive change significantly
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Bukowski EL, Conway A, Glentz LA, Kurland K, Galantino ML. The effect of
Iyengar yoga and strengthening exercises for people living with OA of the
knee: a case series. Int Q Community Health Educ. 2006; 26(3): 287-305.
• A group of 15 women and men performed
one of the following: traditional stretching
and strengthening exercises, Iyengar yoga,
or no structured group exercise.
Measures:
• Low back and hamstring flexibility
• Quadriceps strength and function were
monitored before and after the program.
• WOMAC Quality of Life Questionnaire
• This study found functional changes and
improvement in quality of life in
traditional exercise and a yoga based
approach that should encourage further
comprehensive and carefully designed
studies of yoga in OA.
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Mastrangelo MA, Galantino ML, House L. Effects of Yoga on Quality of Life and
Flexibility in Menopausal Women: A Case Series. Explore Journal 2007
• Measures: SR and FR and
Menopausal Specific Quality
of Life (MSQOL) survey. The
Baecke Questionnaire
measured physical activity.
All areas improved.
• Functional changes and
improvement in quality of
life that should encourage
further comprehensive and
carefully designed studies
of yoga in menopause.
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Sundar, S., Agrawal, S. K., Singh, V. P., Bhattacharya, S. K.,
Udupa, K. N., & Vaish, S. K. (1984). Role of yoga in management
of essential hypertension. Acta cardiologica, 39(3), 203-8.
• Study Participants:
– 25 hypertensive patients
• Intervention:
– Group A consisted of 20 patients,
receiving only yoga treatment
– Group B consisted of 5 patients
receiving yoga and
antihypertensive drug treatment
– All patients were demonstrated
Shavasana and trained to perform
it correctly, then continue
practicing for 6 months
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Sundar, S., Agrawal, S. K., Singh, V. P., Bhattacharya, S. K.,
Udupa, K. N., & Vaish, S. K. (1984). Role of yoga in management
of essential hypertension. Acta cardiologica, 39(3), 203-8.
• Results:
– Statistically significant fall in mean
systolic and diastolic pressure of
both groups
– Significant reduction in doses of
antihypertensive drugs being given
to patients of Group B
– In 65% patients of group A, blood
pressure could be controlled with
Shavasana only
– Blood pressure rose significantly to
pre-Shavasana levels in patients who
left practicing yoga.
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Murugesan, R., Govindarajulu, N., and Bera, T.K. (2000). Effect of
selected yogic practices on the management of hypertension.
Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 44(2),207-10.
• Study participants:
– 33 hypertensive patients, aged
35-65 years
• Intervention:
– Experimental group-I underwent
selected yoga practices
• 11 weeks of twice-daily, one-
hour long sessions
– Experimental group-II received
medical treatment by a
physician
• Consisted of daily drug intake
– Control group did not
participate in any treatment
• Results:
– Both yoga and drug
interventions were
effective in controlling
the variables of
hypertension
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Damodaran A, Malathi A, Patil N, Shah N, Suryavansihi , Marathe S.
Therapeutic potential of yoga practices in modifying cardiovascular risk
profile in middle aged men and women. J Assoc Physicians India. ‘02
May;50(5):631-2.
• AIMS: To study effect of yoga on
the physiological, psychological
well being, psychomotor
parameters and modifying
cardiovascular risk factors in mild
to moderate hypertensive
patients.
• METHODS: Twenty patients (16
males, 4 females) in the age (35-
55 years) underwent yogic
practices daily for one hour for
three months. Brought to you by

Cardiovascular Results
• Decrease in blood pressure and drug
score modifying risk factors, i.e.
blood glucose, cholesterol and
triglycerides decreased overall
improvement in subjective well being
and quality of life. There was
decrease in VMA catecholamine, and
decrease MDA level suggestive
decrease sympathetic activity and
oxidant stress.
• CONCLUSION: Yoga can play an
important role in risk modification for
cardiovascular diseases in mild to
moderate hypertension
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Iyengar Yoga vs. Enhanced Usual Care on Blood Pressure in Patients with
Prehypertension to Stage I Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Cohen D, Bloedon LT, Rothman R, Farrar JT, Galantino ML, Volger S, MayorC, Szapary P, Townsend RR
• PURPOSE: Iyengar Yoga (IY) has been purported to reduce blood pressure
though evidence from randomized trials is lacking.
• METHODS: RCT to assess the effects of 12 weeks of IY vs. Enhanced Usual
Care (EUC) on 24 hour ambulatory BP in yoga-naïve adults with untreated
prehypertension or stage I HTN.
• RESULTS: 26 and 31 subjects in the IY and EUC arms, respectively,
completed the study. There were no differences in BP between the groups
at 6 or 12 weeks.
• In the EUC group, 24 hr systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood
pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) significantly decreased
by 5, 3, and 3 mm Hg, respectively from baseline at 6 weeks (p<0.05), but
were no longer significant at 12 weeks.
• In the IY group, 24 hr SBP was reduced by 6 mm Hg at 12 weeks compared
to baseline (p=0.05). 24 h DBP (p<0.01) and MAP (p<0.05) decreased
significantly each by 5 mm Hg. No differences were observed in
catecholamine or cortisol metabolism to explain the decrease in blood
pressure in the IY group at 12 weeks.
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Plow - Halasana
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Half Moon – Ardha Chandrasana
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IY for HTN – Funded by NCCAM
www.nih.nccam.gov
• 12 weeks of IY produces
clinically meaningful
improvements in 24 hr
SBP and DBP. Larger
studies are needed to
establish the long term
efficacy, acceptability,
utility, and potential
mechanisms of IY to
control blood pressure.
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CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW EFFECTS OF YOGA TRAINING:
A PRELIMINARY STUDY
Cohen DL, Wintering N, Morgan V, Raymond BA, Townsend R,Galantino ML, Farrar JT, Newberg A
• Background and Purpose :
While experienced
practitioners of yoga and
meditation have been
shown to be able to alter
brain function, no one has
studied if novice individuals
alter brain function with
meditation training over
time. We measured
cerebral blood flow (CBF)
before and after a 12 week
training program in Iyengar
Yoga (IY).
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Neuroimaging in Yoga
• Methods: 4 subjects from our current NIH study of IY in hypertension
were studied via SPECT scan (pre-program baseline). Subjects then had
their first 1 hour IY training and then were guided through a meditation at
which time they were injected with 925MBq Bicisate and scanned a
second time (pre-program meditation). Subjects then underwent a 12
week training program in IY. Post program, subjects underwent the same
imaging protocol with a post-program baseline and post-program
meditation scan. Using a ROI template, baseline and meditation SPECT
scans, before and after training, were compared using paired t-tests.
• Results: There were significant decreases (p<0.05) between the pre- and
post-program baseline scans in the right amygdala, right dorsal medial
cortex, and right sensorimotor area. There was a significant difference
(p<0.05) in the pre- and post-program percentage change (i.e. activation)
in the right dorsal medial frontal lobe, right prefrontal cortex, right
sensorimotor cortex, and right inferior frontal lobe.
• Conclusions: These initial findings suggest that the brain experiences a
“training effect” after 12 weeks of IY training.
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Impact of Yoga as an Integrative
Modality in Cancer Care
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The Benefits of Yoga on Fatigue
• One or more of yoga’s components has been proven
to decrease fatigue or improve perceptions of vitality.
Studies using yoga resulted in:
– A significantly greater increase in perceptions of mental and
physical energy and feelings of alertness/enthusiasm (Wood,
1993)
– More energy, less stress, and less pain (Lee SW, Mancuso CA, &
Charlson ME, 2003)
– Symptoms of fatigue improved (Oken BS, et al, 2004)
– Improvements in energy and fatigue (Oken BS, et al, 2006)
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The Benefits of Yoga on Fatigue
• Studies of yoga in the cancer population:
– Improvements in sleep quality and overall QOL
– Reduced psychological distress and improved QOL
• Results from the emerging literature on yoga and
cancer provide preliminary support for the
feasibility and efficacy of yoga interventions for
cancer patients.
(Carlson LE, Speca M, Patel KD, & Goodey E, 2004; Gopinath KS, 2003)
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Rao, Raghavendra, Shirley Telles, Hongasandra Nagendra, and
Raghuram Nagarathna. "Effects of yoga on natural killer cell
counts in early breast cancer patients."
• Purpose of Study:
– To assess the effectiveness of a
yoga program on NK cell counts
in breast cancer patients
undergoing conventional
breast cancer treatment
• Intervention:
– Participants attended 1 hour
yoga sessions 3 times/week.
– In supportive care sessions,
patients were educated about
their disease and treatment
options in hopes of reducing
anxiety
• Participants:
– 37 women with recently
diagnosed with operable stage
II and III breast cancer
– 16 women received yoga and
21 women received supportive
therapy
• Results:
– Significant decreases in NK cell
percentage were not seen in
the yoga group
– The NK cell percentage was
higher in the yoga group post-
chemotherapy as compared to
the control group
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Banasik J, Williams H, Haberman M, Blank SE, Bendel R. Effect of Iyengar
yoga practice on fatigue and diurnal salivary cortisol concentration in breast
cancer survivors. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners 23
(2011) 135–142 2010 Journal compilation C 2010 American Academy of
Nurse Practitioners
• 18 BCS were randomly
assigned to attend yoga
practice for 90 min twice
weekly for 8 weeks or to a
wait-listed, control group
• Iyengar yoga routines
progressively increased in
difficulty as participants
gained strength and
flexibility
• The yoga group had lower
morning and 5 p.m.
salivary cortisol and
improved emotional well-
being and fatigue scores.
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Immune Improvements
• BCS are at risk for chronic
psychosocial distress that may
alter activity of the
hypothalamic-pituitary-
adrenal axis, resulting in
aberrant regulation of cortisol
secretion and increased risk of
immune dysfunction and
cancer progression.
• Regular yoga practice may be
a low-risk, cost-effective way
to improve psychosocial
functioning, fatigue, and
regulation of cortisol secretion
in BCS.
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Stress, Inflammation, and Yoga Practice Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Christian L,
Preston H, Houts CR, Malarkey WB, Emery CF, Glaser R.Psychosom Med.
2010 February ; 72(2): 113. doi:10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181cb9377
• Goal: To address the mechanisms underlying hatha
yoga's potential stress-reduction benefits
• Compared inflammatory and endocrine responses of
novice and expert yoga practitioners before, during,
and after a restorative hatha yoga session, as well as
in two control conditions.
• Stressors before each of the three conditions
provided data on the extent to which yoga speeded
an individual's physiological recovery.
• Methods—50 healthy women (mean age=41.32,
range=30–65), 25 novices and 25 experts, were
exposed to each of the conditions (yoga, movement
control, and passive-video control) during three
separate visits. Brought to you by

• Results—The yoga session boosted participants’
positive affect compared to the control conditions, but
no overall differences in inflammatory or endocrine
responses were unique to the yoga session.
• Importantly, even though novices and experts did not
differ on key dimensions including age, abdominal
adiposity, and cardiorespiratory fitness, novices’ serum
IL-6 levels were 41% higher than those of experts
across sessions, and the odds of a novice having
detectable CRP were 4.75 times as high as that of an
expert.
• Differences in stress responses between experts and
novices provided one plausible mechanism for their
divergent serum IL-6 data; experts produced less LPS-
stimulated IL-6 in response to the stressor than
novices, and IL-6 promotes CRP production.
• Conclusion—The ability to minimize inflammatory
responses to stressful encounters influences the
burden that stressors place on an individual. If yoga
dampens or limits stress-related changes, then regular
practice could have substantial health benefits.”
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Impact of Yoga on Functional Outcomes in Breast Cancer Survivors With Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated
Galantino ML, Desai K, Greene L, Demichele A, Stricker CT, Mao JJ.
Integr Cancer Ther. 2011 Jul 6.
• Postmenopausal women with stage I to III breast cancer who reported AIAA were
enrolled in a single-arm pilot trial.
• A yoga program was provided twice a week for 8 weeks. The Functional Reach (FR)
and Sit and Reach (SR) were evaluated. Pain - Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), self-
reported Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS), and Functional Assessment of
Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) were secondary outcomes
• Participants experienced significant improvement in balance, as measured by FR,
and flexibility, as measured by SR. The PSFS improved from 4.55 to 7.21, and HR-
QOL measured by FACT-B also improved; both P < .05. The score for the Pain
Severity subscale of the BPI reduced.
• In all, 80% of participants adhered to the home program. Preliminary data suggest
that yoga may reduce pain and improve balance and flexibility in BCSs with AIAA
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Moadel, Alyson, Chirag Shah, Judith Wylie-Rosett, and Melanie
Harris. "Randomized control trial of yoga among a multiethnic
sample of breast cancer patients: effects on quality of life."
Journal of Clinical Oncology. 26(2007): 1-9.
– Examine the impact of yoga
on QOL, fatigue, distressed
mood, and spiritual well-
being
• Intervention:
– Experimental group
participated in a 12 week, 1.5
hour weekly yoga class
– Control group was put on a
12 week waitlist
• Participants:
– 128 multiethnic breast cancer
patients, 18+ y/o with
new/recurrent cancer (stages
I to III)
– 84 in the yoga group and 44
in the control group
• Results:
– Favorable outcomes were
seen in the treatment group
in emotional well-being,
social well-being, spiritual
well-being, and distressed
mood
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Rao, Raghavendra, Nagarathna Raghuram H.R. Nagendra, and
K.S. Gopinath. "Effects of an integrated yoga programme on
chemotherapy-induced nausea and emesis in breast cancer
patients." European Journal of Cancer Care. 16(2007): 462-474.
– Examine effect of yoga on
chemotherapy related nausea
and emesis in early operable
breast cancer patients
• Intervention:
– Experimental group received
integrated yoga program 30
min before chemotherapy
sessions, in addition to home
practice 6 days/week
– Control group received
supportive counseling & coping
preparation
• Participants:
– 98 women recently diagnosed
with stage II and III breast
cancer
– 62 subjects in the treatment
group and 34 in the control
group
• Results:
experienced a significant
decrease in frequency and
intensity of post-chemotherapy
induced nausea and vomiting
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Duncan, M.D., A. Leis, and J.W. Taylor-Brown. “Impact and
outcomes of an Iyengar yoga program in a cancer centre."
Current Oncology 15(2008): 72-78.
– determine how Iyengar yoga
affects the self-identified
worst symptom in the group
– assesses whether QOL,
spiritual well-being, and
mood disturbances changed
over the program
• Interventions:
– Ten 90 minute weekly Iyengar
yoga classes
• Participants:
– 23 females and 1 male who
are undergoing treatment or
who had previously been
treated for cancer with in the
last 6 months
• Results:
– Participants in the study
stated statistically significant
improvements in their self-
identified worst symptom,
QOL, spiritual well-being, and
mood disturbances
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Danhauer, Suzanne C., Janet A. Tooze, Deborah F. Farmer, and
Cassie R. Campbell. "Restorative yoga for women with ovarian or
breast cancer: findings from a pilot study." Journal of Society for
Integrative Oncology. 6(2008): 47-58.
– Examine the effects of
restorative yoga (RY) on
women with ovarian and
breast cancers
• Intervention:
– All women participated in
10 weekly 75 minute RY
classes that included
physical postures,
breathing, and relaxation
• Participants:
– 51 women with ovarian or
breast cancer
• Results:
– Significant improvements
were seen in depression,
negative affect, anxiety,
mental health, and overall
quality of life.
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Rao, Raghavendra, Nagarathna Raghuram, H.R. Nagendra, and K.S.
Gopinath. "Anxiolytic effects of a yoga program in early breast cancer
patients undergoing conventional treatment: A randomized control
trial." Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 17(2009): 1-8.
– Compares the anxiolytic effects
of yoga in patients with
undergoing conventional
treatment for breast cancer
• Intervention:
– 24 weeks of Yoga, consisting of
asanas, breathing exercises,
pranayama, meditation, and
yogic relaxation techniques
– Control group received
supportive therapy sessions
• Participants:
– 90 stage II and III breast
cancer outpatients received
yoga prior to treatment
• Only those who received
surgery followed by 6 cycles
of chemotherapy were
analyzed in this study
• 18 of these participants
received yoga and 20 served
as the control
• Results:
– Decrease in self-reported
anxiety state and trait anxiety
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Danhauer, Suzanne C., Shannon L. Mihalko, Gregory B. Russell, and
Cassie R. Campbell. "Restorative yoga for women with breast
cancer: findings from a randomized pilot study." Psycho-Oncology.
(2009)
– Examine the effectiveness of
restorative yoga (RY) for
women with breast cancer
• Intervention:
– Experimental group had 10
weekly, 75 minute RY classes,
including postures, breathing,
and deep relaxation
– Control group were wait
listed for the RY sessions
• Participants:
– 44 women 18+ y/o were
enrolled in the study
– Consisted of 24 women in the
experimental group and 20 in
the control group
• Results:
– Improvements were seen in
mental health, depression,
fatigue, positive affect, and
spirituality in the yoga group
– No significant differences
were seen in the control
group
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Carson, James W., Kimberly M. Carson, Laura S. Porter, and
Francis J. Keefe. "Yoga awareness program for menopausal
symptoms in breast cancer survivors: results from a randomized
trial." Support Care Cancer. (2009)
– Evaluate the effects of yoga
intervention on menopausal
symptoms in breast cancer
survivors
• Intervention:
participated in 8 weekly, 120
min. yoga classes consisting
of poses, meditation, and
breathing exercises
– Control group were wait
listed for yoga sessions
• Participants:
– 37 cancer free women who were
experiencing hot flashes
– Consisted of 17 women in
experimental group and 20 in
control group
• Results:
– Significantly greater
improvements were seen in the
yoga group in hot flash frequency
and severity, levels of joint pain,
fatigue, sleep disturbances,
symptom related bother, and
vigor
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The Benefits of Yoga on Cognition
• The various components of yoga (postures,
breathing, and meditation) have been isolated in
studies to examine its effects in specific populations,
with emphasis on cognition.
• One or more of these components has been proven
to aid in improved memory scores, attentive state of
mind, concentration, decreased confusion, or
improvement in overall cognitive performance.
(Falleti, et al, 2004; Falleti, et al, 2004a; Falleti, et al, 2005; Oken, et al, 2006)
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• A pilot study of a 7-week yoga program identify some trends for
cognitive disorganization and suggest that yoga has a significant
potential and should be explored as a beneficial physical activity
option for cancer patients. (Culos-Reed SN, et al, 2006)
• A most up to date randomized, controlled, six-month trial of yoga
in healthy seniors concluded there were no relative
improvements in cognitive function among healthy seniors but
relate their findings to a ceiling effect in this relatively healthy
population. (Oken BS, et al, 2006)
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• Many of these studies demonstrate
the effective use of yoga for
enhancing cognition and treating
cognitive deficits in diverse
populations, but there still remains
the lack of controlled trials
examining the effects of yoga on
perceived cognition in the cancer
population.
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2.
Longitudinal impact of yoga on chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment and quality of life in women
Galantino ML, Greene L, Daniels L, Dooley B, Muscatello L, O'Donnell L.
Explore (NY). 2012 Mar-Apr;8(2):127-35.
• 4 women with a diagnosis of
early-stage breast cancer prior to
chemotherapy treatment were
administered the following
physiologic measures at baseline,
6, and 12 weeks during
chemotherapy, and at one and
three months after the
conclusion of the study:
Functional Reach test (balance)
and Sit and Reach test
(flexibility), and QOL, POMS
(Mood) and FACT-B (QOL), at
baseline.
• Primary outcomes of cognition
were measured with the
Perceived Cognition
Questionnaire (PCQ) and
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Intervention – Iyengar Yoga
• Total = 71 minutes
• Protocol designed and
pilot tested
• Asanas – adapted for
physical limitations
• Each pose held between
3-5 minutes
• Certified IY instructor
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Implications of this Research
• CogState computerized testing showed
changes in varying domains of cognition
through treatment and follow-up.
• Improved balance, flexibility, and QOL
were also noted over time.
• Analysis of qualitative data revealed the
yoga classes were helpful and subjects
continued the practice elements of yoga
including relaxation, breathing, and
stretching.
• The most challenging aspect of the study
was physical limitations due to various
medical complications and included
fatigue, decreased range of motion, and
pain. Brought to you by

Yoga for Healthcare Professionals

Gura ST. (2002). Yoga for stress reduction and injury prevention
at work. IOS Press.
• At work employees face numerous
psychological stressors that can
undermine their work performance.
• These stressors, stemming from a variety
of possible causes, have enormous health
and financial impacts on employees as
well as employers.
• Stress has been shown to be one of the
factors leading to musculoskeletal
disorders (MSDs) such as: include back
pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder or
neck tension, eye strain, or headaches.
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Malathi A, Damodaran A, Shah N, Patil N, Maratha S. Effect of
yogic practices on subjective well being. Indian J Physiol
Pharmacol. 2000 Apr;44(2):202-6.
• 48 healthy volunteers who
participated in the practice of
yoga over a period of 4 months
were assessed on Subjective Well
Being Inventory (SUBI)
• A significant improvement in 9 of
the 11 factors of SUBI was
observed at the end of 4 months,
in these
participants.
• Beneficial effects of regular
practice of yoga on subjective
well being.
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Yoga in the Workplace
• Practicing yoga at the workplace
teaches employees to use
relaxation techniques to reduce
stress and risks of injury on the
job.
• Yoga at the workplace is a
convenient and practical outlet
that improves work performance
by relieving tension and job
stress.
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Galantino ML, Baime M, Maquire M, Szapary O, Farrar J. Association of psychological and
physiological measures of stress in health-care professionals during an 8-week mindfulness
meditation program: mindfulness in practice. Stress and Health, 2005. Wiley Interscience.
• Work stress, burnout, and diminished empathy are prevalent issues for
health-care professionals.
• Mindfulness meditation (MM) is one commonly used strategy to manage
stress. Measuring salivary cortisol allows for the assessment of serum
cortisol level, a known stress level indicator.
• Evaluated the association of subject-reported stress symptoms and
salivary cortisol in healthcare professionals, in an 8-week MM program,
with data collected prospectively at baseline and 8 weeks after program
completion.
• Questionnaires: Proﬁle of Mood States—Short Form, Maslach Burnout
Inventory, and Interpersonal Reactivity Index measured mood, burnout
and empathy.
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Meditation and Healthcare
Professionals - Results
• A paired t-test between groups for
pre/post-salivary cortisol yielded no
signiﬁcant change.
• The POMS-SF was most sensitive to
change.
• Emotional exhaustion, measured in
the MBI, was also affected by MM
• Psychometric results present a strong
case for additional clinical trials of
MM to reduce stress for health-care
professionals.
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What is a Healthcare
Professional Turned…Patient?
One receiving medical
care
Enduring pain without
complaining
Calmly tolerating
delay. Confusion, etc
Diligent; persevering
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What Components of Yoga Based Therapy Will YOU
Incorporate In YOUR Life?
• Take a moment to observe your
breath
• Practice mindfulness
• Be willing to explore various
dimensions of yoga with your
patient or make sure the referral
is to an appropriate yoga
therapist
• Consider various yoga
organizations as a resource (IYAT)
• ENJOY exploring movement
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Acknowledgements
• All Cancer Survivors
• Delaware and Philadelphia Community
Wellness Centers
• Delaware Cancer Consortium for QOL
• DPT students – Louise DeDea, PT
• Colleagues
• LBBC Team and Support Staff
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Replace with: What Yoga CAN DO…
What Cancer Cannot Do
Cancer is so limited....
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace.
It cannot destroy
confidence.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot shut out
memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot reduce eternal
life.
It cannot quench the Spirit. Brought to you by

This platform has been started by
Parveen Kumar Chadha with the
vision that nobody should suffer
the way he has suffered because
of lack and improper healthcare
facilities in India. We need lots of
funds manpower etc. to make
this vision a reality please contact
us. Join us as a member for a
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Research proven benefits of yoga