Effect of yoga program on anxiety in Breast cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy

Background:

Patients with breast cancer often have to deal with severe drug side effects and psychological distress during cancer diagnose and cancer treatment. Anxiety is thepsychiatric problems encountered in breast cancer patients. alongside medical treatment, many breast cancer patients use forms of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to manage the above side effects. This study aimed to determine the effect of yoga program on anxiety in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy referred to Radiotherapy and Oncology Center of Golestan Hospital in Ahwaz.

Material and methods:

A clinical trial plan study was designed and a total number of 60 breast cancer patients were selected. The patients were randomly divided in to two group Yoga (n=30) and control (n=30). In the yoga group the intervention conducted 30 min yoga prior to their primary chemotherapy, the subjects were asked to practice daily as homework. While the control group was instructed encouraging therapy during their hospital visits as a part of regular care. Data were collected and assessed with Speilbergers State and Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Results:

The final results showed overall decrease in both self-reported state and trait anxiety and total score anxiety in yoga group as compared to controls group(P<0/05).The study revealed that there is a positive correlation between anxiety states and traits with symptom severity and distress during conventional treatment intervals.