Effects of yoga program on quality of life and affect in early breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy: A randomized controlled trial

Summary Objectives This study compares the effects of an integrated yoga program with brief supportive therapy in breast cancer outpatients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy at a cancer centre. Methods Eighty-eight stage II and III breast cancer outpatients were randomly assigned to receive yoga ( n  = 44) or brief supportive therapy ( n  = 44) prior to their radiotherapy treatment. Intervention consisted of yoga sessions lasting 60 min daily while the control group was imparted supportive therapy once in 10 days. Assessments included European Organization for Research in the Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life (EORTCQoL C30) functional scales and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Assessments were done at baseline and after 6 weeks of radiotherapy treatment. Results An intention to treat GLM repeated measures ANOVA showed significant difference across groups over time for positive affect, negative affect and emotional function and social function. There was significant improvement in positive affect (ES = 0.59, p  = 0.007, 95%CI 1.25 to 7.8), emotional function (ES = 0.71, p  = 0.001, 95%CI 6.45 to 25.33) and cognitive function (ES = 0.48, p  = 0.03, 95%CI 1.2 to 18.5), and decrease in negative affect (ES = 0.84, p Conclusion The results suggest a possible role for yoga to improve quality of life and affect in breast cancer outpatients.