Yoga

Yoga Reduces Inflammation in Breast Cancer Patients

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Living Beyond Breast Cancer Yoga Series Part 1By John M. de Castro, Ph.D.

 

In today’s Research News article “Yoga Intervention and Inflammatory Homoeostasis in Breast Cancer Patients” (See summary below or view the full text of the study at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11866663/ ) Kaje and colleagues provided a 3-days yoga intervention to patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. They found that the yoga practice reduced the levels of inflammatory markers in the patients.

 

Yoga decreased inflammation in patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.

 

CMCS – Center for Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies

 

This and other Contemplative Studies posts are also available on the Contemplative Studies Blog  http://contemplative-studies.org

 

Study Summary

 

Kaje KC, Dsilva F, Shetty PK, Mohan R, Kumar S, Dsouza N, D’souza C, Kalladka SS, Alagundagi DB, Kalladka K. Yoga Intervention and Inflammatory Homoeostasis in Breast Cancer Patients. Indian J Palliat Care. 2025 Jan-Mar;31(1):1–7. doi: 10.25259/IJPC_181_2024. Epub 2025 Feb 15. PMCID: PMC11866663.

Abstract

Objectives:

Yoga, renowned for its ability to maintain physical, mental and spiritual well-being, has recently gained prominence as a supportive therapy during conventional breast cancer (BC) treatment. This paradigm shift reflects a growing trend of people embracing yoga to enhance their overall health and aid in managing BC. The objective of this study was to determine the yoga intervention and inflammatory homoeostasis in newly diagnosed BC patients.

Materials and Method:

This study recruited 44 newly diagnosed BC patients at stages II, III and IV (without distant metastasis or other inflammatory diseases), all admitted for neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. A prospective non-randomised control design was employed. Baseline assessments were conducted before the first chemotherapy cycle, with follow-ups before the 2nd and 3rd chemotherapy cycles, before surgery, and 2 months post-surgery. The outcome was compared with the control group.

Results:

The study showed significant within-subject effects in the yoga intervention group on serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1-beta and IL-6 levels, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Although between groups did not show statistically significant, the mean values indicated a consistent downregulation of proinflammatory markers over time in the yoga group.

Conclusion:

Incorporating yoga as a complementary therapy alongside conventional BC treatment significantly improved the health outcomes of BC patients by modulating proinflammatory markers.

 

Online Yoga Improves the Psychological Health of Cancer Patients

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The pros and cons of online yoga - Ekhart Yoga

By John M. de Castro, Ph.D.

 

In today’s Research News article “The Effects of Online Yoga Practice on Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review” (See summary below or view the full text of the study at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11817149/ ) Gatti and colleagues reviewed and summarized the published research studies on the effectiveness of yoga practice presented online to alleviate the psychological sequala of a cancer diagnosis. They report that online yoga significantly increases sleep quality and quality of life and reduces stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue in patients with a diagnosis of cancer.

 

Yoga practice improves the psychological health of cancer patients.

 

CMCS – Center for Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies

 

This and other Contemplative Studies posts are also available on the Contemplative Studies Blog  http://contemplative-studies.org

 

Study Summary

 

Gatti F, Perego G, Milano F, Calleri G, Giurioli B, Di Mattei VE. The Effects of Online Yoga Practice on Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Jan 23;13(3):225. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13030225. PMID: 39942415; PMCID: PMC11817149.

 

Abstract

Background: Cancer remains a leading cause of death, with 9.7 million deaths in 2022. Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, many cancer patients experience side effects that significantly impact their quality of life, including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and cancer-related fatigue. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as yoga, have gained attention for their potential to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. However, barriers such as fatigue, pain, and transportation issues limit access to in-person yoga, leading to the growing adoption of online yoga as a viable alternative. Objective: This systematic review synthesizes research on the effectiveness of online yoga for cancer patients. A comprehensive search was conducted across Medline, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases on 24 October 2024. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the CASP Checklist. Of 6266 articles initially identified, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising qualitative (n = 4) and quantitative (n = 10) studies. Results: The results suggest that online yoga can improve stress and sleep quality, with moderate effects on anxiety, depression, and fatigue. However, variability in study designs and methodological limitations complicate the evaluation of its overall effectiveness. Conclusions: Online yoga offers a practical, accessible option for cancer patients unable to attend in-person sessions, showing the potential to enhance mental and physical health outcomes. Nevertheless, the variability in study methodologies highlights the need for more standardized research to establish its role as a supportive intervention in oncology care.

 

Yoga Lessens Depression in Pregnant Women

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Yoga in pregnancy: Many poses are safer than once thought - Harvard Health

By John M. de Castro, Ph.D.

 

In today’s Research News article “. Effects of yoga on depressive symptoms in women with pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis” (See summary below or view the full text of the study at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11758411/ ) Punsuwun and colleagues review and summarize the published research studies on the effectiveness of yoga practice on the mood of pregnant women. They found that the research reports that yoga practice significantly reduces depression in pregnant women.

 

CMCS – Center for Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies

 

This and other Contemplative Studies posts are also available on the Contemplative Studies Blog  http://contemplative-studies.org

 

Study Summary

 

Punsuwun S, Oerther S, Reangsing C. Effects of yoga on depressive symptoms in women with pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Heliyon. 2025 Jan 3;11(1):e41664. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41664. PMID: 39866491; PMCID: PMC11758411.

Abstract

Background

While electroconvulsive therapy and antidepressants are standard treatments for depressed pregnant women, they are not without threats. The objective of this study was to quantitative synthesis of the literature regarding the effect of yoga interventions on depressive symptoms in pregnant women.

Methods

Nine electronic databases were searched for primary studies with pregnant women with depression measured as outcomes and written in English. Based on the random-effects model, we used Hedges’ g to compute the effect size and examined the subgroup analysis.

Results

We found twelve primary studies which included 738 participants who were 28.43 ± 1.92 years old across studies. The overall effect size using random-effects model was g = 1.120 (95%CI .52, 1.72, p < .001). Providing yoga to pregnant women with mood disorder had a lesser effect size (g = .10) than providing yoga to pregnant women without a mood disorder (g = 1.45). Funded studies had a lesser ES (g = .51) than those with unfunded (g = 1.98). Proving yoga in Eastern countries had a greater ES (g = 1.82) than providing yoga in Western (g = .40). No quality indicators showed moderator effects.

Conclusion

When compared to controls, pregnant women who practiced yoga reported significantly improved depressive symptoms. Yoga might be an alternative complementary therapy that clinicians and other healthcare professionals might think about utilizing to help pregnant women who are depressed.

 

Improve Alzheimer’s Patients Quality of Life with Yoga

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FAU | Online Chair Yoga Viable for Isolated Older Adults with Dementia

By John M. de Castro, Ph.D.

 

In today’s Research News article “Impact of Yoga in Transformation of Quality of Life of Alzheimer’s disease cases” (See summary below or view the full text of the study at:  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11712740/pdf/ALZ-20-e095088.pdf )  Kaushik and colleagues found that a 12-week yoga practice significantly improved the quality of life and cognitive function while reducing depression in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease patients.

 

Yoga practice improves the lives of Alzheimer’s Disease patients.

 

CMCS – Center for Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies

 

This and other Contemplative Studies posts are also available on the Contemplative Studies Blog  http://contemplative-studies.org

 

Study Summary

Kaushik M. Impact of Yoga in Transformation of Quality of Life of Alzheimer’s disease cases. Alzheimers Dement. 2025 Jan 9;20(Suppl 8):e095088. doi: 10.1002/alz.095088. PMCID: PMC11712740.

 

Abstract

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) constitutes a formidable challenge, profoundly affecting the fabric of individuals’ lives and intricately entwined with disturbances in their quality of life. This study embarks on a mission to unravel the transformative potential of a carefully crafted 12‐week yoga intervention, specifically tailored to address the multifaceted dimensions of quality of life. Our aim is to unravel the impact of a yoga intervention on their overall quality of life with AD and mild cognitively impairment subjects.

Method

A case control yoga interventional study was conducted on 30 subjects (male‐18 and female‐12) were enrolled from the department of neurology and neurocognitive assessments were done in department of Anatomy, AIIMS, New Delhi, India. All the participants, aged >60 years were recruited. The 12‐week yoga intervention entailed daily hour‐long sessions over 6 days. The multifaceted evaluation encompassed the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) including the evaluation of 15 questions and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale including for overall quality of life assessment with measuring language, memory, attention, visuospatial, naming, delayed recall, abstraction, and orientation for quality‐of‐life of the AD subjects.

Result

The AD subjects cohort exhibited statistically significant enhancements (P < 0.001) in quality‐of‐life scores (GDS & MoCA) pre and post Yoga intervention. GDS scores of 15 questions experienced a remarkable transition from pre‐yoga (8.36 ± 2.7) to post‐yoga (5.13 ± 3.0). While total MoCA scores ascended from pre yoga (18.65 ± 4.13) to post yoga (25.06 ± 6.3). MoCA scores of individual points pre yoga includes language (1.10 ± 0.2), memory (no points), attention (3.54 ± 1.8), visuospatial (4.0 ± 1.30), naming (2.16 ± 0.4), delayed recall (3.55 ± 0.25), abstraction (0.50 ± 0.0), and orientation (3.80 ± 0.18). MoCA scores of individual points post yoga includes language (2.16 ± 0.6), memory (no points), attention (4.60 ± 1.3), visuospatial (4.90 ± 2.50), naming (2.85 ± 0.75), delayed recall (4.85 ± 0.50), abstraction (1.40 ± 0.20), and orientation (4.30 ± 0.45).

Conclusion

This discerning study illuminates the transformative potential of a 12‐week yoga program, showcasing significant enhancements in the quality of life of individuals grappling with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.