Table 3

Studies without a control group, conducted in North America to determine the effect of yoga on patients with cancer

STUDY; LOCATION OF STUDY; TYPE OF STUDYSTUDY QUESTIONSTUDY POPULATIONINTERVENTIONCONTROL GROUPVARIABLESRESULTS
Danhauer et al (2008)20; Winston-Salem, USA; PSDoes yoga reduce fatigue, anxiety, and symptoms of depression? Does it improve positive affect and quality of life?Women with breast cancer (n = 14) or ovarian cancer (n = 37); Dx in past 2 y (total n=51)

  • Restorative yoga

  • Length: 10 wk; weekly 75-min sessions, with no personal practice

None

  • SF-12

  • FACT-G

  • FACIT-Sp

  • CES-D

  • STAI

  • PANAS

  • PE

The program generated a decrease in depressive symptoms, negative mood, and level of anxiety. Overall quality of life improved as did assessment of physical and mental health. Some effects occurred during intervention; others occurred after 2 mo
Duncan et al (2008)21; Winnipeg, Man; PFSDoes yoga improve physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being?Men or women with cancer, regardless of type (n = 24)

  • Iyengar yoga

  • Length: 10 wk; weekly 90-min sessions with no personal practice

None

  • MYMOP2

  • FACT-G

  • FACIT-Sp

  • POMS-SF

  • PE

The intervention brought about an improvement in physical symptoms, quality of life, spiritual well-being, and mood disturbances. Improvement in quality of life persisted over time

  • CES-D—Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, Dx—diagnosis, FACIT-Sp—Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Spiritual Well-being, FACT-G—Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General, MYMOP2—Make Yourself Medical Outcome Profile version 2, PANAS—Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, PE—program evaluation based on qualitative interviews, PFS—prospective follow-up study, POMS-SF—Profile of Mood States–Short Form, PS—pilot study, SF-12—12-Item Short Form Health Survey, STAI—State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, USA—United States of America.