Yoga for Cancer
May 20, 2004(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- The ancient Eastern tradition of yoga may have a modern medical application.
According to researchers from The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and elsewhere, lymphoma patients who took part in yoga classes reported better sleep quality than those in a control group.
The study was conducted among 39 lymphoma patients who were either undergoing treatment or who had concluded treatment within the last year. About half the patients were assigned to the yoga classes while the other half were put on a waiting list and served as the control group.
The yoga classes consisted of controlled breathing and visualization exercises, along with mindfulness techniques and low-impact postures.
Researchers compared the yoga group with the control group, looking at quality of sleep and other factors. Results show those in the yoga group had fewer sleep disturbances and better sleep quality. Patients also slept longer and needed fewer medications to help them sleep.
The authors believe these findings are encouraging and suggest the need for more study on the medical benefits of yoga. They write, “The benefits that have been documented and potential impact of these benefits ... are important enough to warrant the further study of developing such programs for cancer patients.”
SOURCE: Cancer, 2004;100:2253-2260
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