Open AccessEffects of a Yoga Program on Cortisol Rhythm and Mood States in Early Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Radiotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
H. S. Vadiraja,
R. M. Raghavendra,
Raghuram Nagarathna,
HR Nagendra,
M Rekha,
N Vanitha,
KS Gopinath,
B S Srinath,
M.S.A. Vishweshwara,
Y Madhavi,
BS Ajaikumar,
B.S. Ramesh,
Nalini Ramarao,
Vinod Kumar
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
integrative cancer therapies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.73
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1552-695X
pISSN - 1534-7354
DOI - 10.1177/1534735409331456
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , radiation therapy , anxiety , depression (economics) , mood , oncology , randomized controlled trial , cancer , clinical psychology , psychiatry , economics , macroeconomics
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 center. Methods. Eighty-eight stage II and III breast cancer outpatients are randomly assigned to receive yoga (n = 44) or brief supportive therapy (n = 44) prior to radiotherapy treatment. Assessments include diurnal salivary cortisol levels 3 days before and after radiotherapy and self-ratings of anxiety, depression, and stress collected before and after 6 weeks of radiotherapy. Results. Analysis of covariance reveals significant decreases in anxiety ( P < .001), depression ( P = .002), perceived stress ( P < .001), 6 a.m. salivary cortisol ( P = .009), and pooled mean cortisol ( P = .03) in the yoga group compared with controls. There is a significant positive correlation between morning salivary cortisol level and anxiety and depression. Conclusion. Yoga might have a role in managing self-reported psychological distress and modulating circadian patterns of stress hormones in early breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy.