Effects of yoga on cancer-related fatigue and global side-effect burden in older cancer survivors. Issue 1 (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sprod, Lisa K.; Fernandez, Isabel D.; Janelsins, Michelle C.; Peppone, Luke J.; Atkins, James N.; Giguere, Jeffrey; Block, Robert; Mustian, Karen M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geriatric oncology. Volume 6:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 8
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Geriatric oncology -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Aged -- Periodicals; Geriatric oncology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 618.976994005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2014.09.184
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1879-4068

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="ab0005"> <title id="st0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="st0010">Background</title> <p id="sp0005">Sixty percent of cancer survivors are 65 years of age or older. Cancer and its treatments lead to cancer-related fatigue and many other side effects, in turn, creating substantial global side-effect burden (total burden from all side effects) which, ultimately, compromises functional independence and quality of life. Various modes of exercise, such as yoga, reduce cancer-related fatigue and global side-effect burden in younger cancer survivors, but no studies have specifically examined the effects of yoga on older cancer survivors.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0015">Objectives</title> <p id="sp0010">The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a 4-week yoga intervention (Yoga for Cancer Survivors: YOCAS©®) on overall cancer-related fatigue, and due to its multidimensional nature, the subdomains of cancer-related fatigue (general, physical, emotional, and mental) and global side-effect burden in older cancer survivors.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0020">Materials and Methods</title> <p id="sp0015">We conducted a secondary analysis on data from a multicenter phase III randomized controlled clinical trial with 2 arms (standard care and standard care plus a 4-week YOCAS©® intervention). The sample for this secondary analysis was 97 older cancer survivors (≥ 60 years of age), between 2 months and 2 years post-treatment, who participated in the original trial.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0025">Results</title> <p id="sp0020">Participants in the YOCAS©® intervention arm reported significantly lower cancer-related fatigue, physical fatigue, mental fatigue, and global side-effect burden than participants in the standard care arm following the 4-week intervention period (p < 0.05).</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0030">Conclusions</title> <p id="sp0025">YOCAS©® is an effective standardized yoga intervention for reducing cancer-related fatigue, physical fatigue, mental fatigue, and global side-effect burden among older cancer survivors.</p> </sec> </abstract>