Yoga curbs fatigue in cancer survivors

Yoga can help promote quality of life in breast cancer survivors by diminishing their fatigue and restoring some of their lost vitality, a new study shows. American researchers focused on two groups of breast cancer survivors the UCLA Medical Center for over 12 weeks. These women were randomly assigned to participate in two 90-minute yoga classes either every week or a two-hour health class once a week. The study revealed less fatigue and increased energy in the women who participated in the twice-weekly yoga classes during a three-month period, whereas no changes were reported in the fatigue and depression levels of the control group. Furthermore, the women in the yoga group also continued to report significant improvements in fatigue levels three months after the classes stopped. “Some studies have shown that stress-reduction techniques or exercise classes can help reduce fatigue among cancer patients and survivors in general. But none of them has specifically targeted cancer survivors experiencing fatigue to see if a potential therapy reverses the problem,” said an associate professor in the psychology department of the University of California Julienne Bower. Persistent fatigue lasting years after cancer treatment is a common consequence in breast cancer survivors. The underlying cause of the condition is unknown, and therefore there is no validated treatment.