Benefits of yoga in stress management in cancer patients: a literature review

Authors

  • Helena Oles Graduanda, Medicina, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, UEPG, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brasil https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1524-3044
  • Fernanda Pitome Weigert Graduanda, Medicina, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, UEPG, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brasil
  • Verônica Queji de Paula Graduanda, Medicina, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, UEPG, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brasil https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4259-8025
  • Nancy Huang Professora, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, SP, Colégio Brasileiro de Medicina do Estilo de Vida, CBMEV, São Paulo, SP, Brasil https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8151-3002

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61661/congresso.cbmev.7.2024.115

Keywords:

Cancer Survivors, Psychological Stress, Complementary Therapies, yoga

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer is a global public health problem. Since 2010, there has been a 26.3% increase in cancer cases, and related deaths have increased by 20.9%. Yoga is increasingly common and has proven to be beneficial to the health of cancer patients. Objective: This is a literature review that seeks to evaluate the influence of Yoga on cancer patients, especially with regard to stress. Methodology: The Pubmed database and the terms “Yoga”, “stress” and “cancer” or “neoplasia” in English were used. Literature and systematic reviews published in the last 10 years were included. Studies available for free and that related Yoga and cancer patients were selected, totaling 18 articles. Results: Ten were systematic reviews, 7 literature reviews and 1 was a combination of protocols. Six articles demonstrated positive results when relating Yoga to stress management and, in 1, there was no improvement. In addition, in another 6, an improvement in immunological and stress markers was evaluated. Five studies demonstrated improvements in anxiety, 4 in distress, and 4 in depression. Two articles found improvements in cognition and 11 in quality of life. One study showed improvements in capillary blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, in addition to contributing to weight loss. Another study showed improvements in physical fitness. There was also recovery of range of motion through Hatha Yoga in patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer. In 3 studies, there was a reduction in pain, in 5 there was an improvement in sleep quality, and in 6 there was a decrease in fatigue. In 1 study, there was no evidence of improvement in this symptom. Furthermore, another study found a decrease in saliva stickiness and episodes of illness in oral cancer. One study contraindicates this practice because it assesses the risks related to injuries in patients with bone and lung cancer. Conclusion: The practice of Yoga has been shown to have positive outcomes in various areas of the lives of patients with some type of cancer, with emphasis on improvements in quality of life, fatigue, stress, and their biomarkers.

Author Biographies

Helena Oles, Graduanda, Medicina, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, UEPG, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brasil

Fernanda Pitome Weigert, Graduanda, Medicina, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, UEPG, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brasil

Verônica Queji de Paula, Graduanda, Medicina, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, UEPG, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brasil

Nancy Huang, Professora, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, SP, Colégio Brasileiro de Medicina do Estilo de Vida, CBMEV, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

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Published

2024-11-02

How to Cite

1.
Oles H, Weigert FP, Paula VQ de, Huang N. Benefits of yoga in stress management in cancer patients: a literature review. Congresso Brasileiro de Medicina do Estilo de Vida [Internet]. 2024 Nov. 2 [cited 2024 Dec. 4];7. Available from: https://publicacoes.cbmev.org.br/cbmev/article/view/115

Issue

Section

Mental Health and Stress Management

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