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CancerYoga

Iyengar yoga in a cancer center

JR

 Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada report how Iyengar yoga affected their patients’ worst symptoms and more.

First, the details.

  • This study included 24 patients treated for cancer within the previous 6 months.
  • They participated in 10, 90-minute weekly Iyengar yoga classes.
  • The researchers looked for changes in their patients’ most-bothersome symptom, quality of life and spiritual well-being, and mood disturbance.

And, the results.

  • Statistically significant improvements were reported in most-bothersome symptom, quality of life, spiritual well-being, and mood disturbance during the program.
  • After the study, quality of life and mood disturbance significantly improved over time.

The bottom line?
The participants appeared to benefit from participating in the yoga program.

Maybe a placebo group isn’t necessary under these circumstances. For those who disagree, the results of a similar study in breast cancer patients are summarized here, along with a link to background information on the Iyengar method of yoga.

9/5/08 20:49 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

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