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Effects of a Yoga Program on Cortisol Rhythm and Mood States in Early Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Radiotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Departments of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Surgical Oncology and Radiation Oncology, Bangalore Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India, raghav.hcgrf{at}gmail.com

H.S. Vadiraja, BNYS

Department of Yoga Research, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bangalore, India

Raghuram Nagarathna, MD

Department of Yoga Research, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bangalore, India

H.R. Nagendra, PhD

Department of Yoga Research, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bangalore, India

M. Rekha, MSc

Department of Yoga Research, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bangalore, India

N. Vanitha, BNYS

Department of Yoga Research, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bangalore, India

K.S. Gopinath, MS

Departments of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Surgical Oncology and Radiation Oncology, Bangalore Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India

B.S. Srinath, MS

Departments of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Surgical Oncology and Radiation Oncology, Bangalore Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India

M.S. Vishweshwara, MD

Department of Radiation Oncology, Bharath Hospital Institute of Oncology, Mysore, India

Y.S. Madhavi, MD

Department of Radiation Oncology, Bharath Hospital Institute of Oncology, Mysore, India

B.S. Ajaikumar, MD

Department of Radiation Oncology, Bharath Hospital Institute of Oncology, Mysore, India

Bilimagga S. Ramesh, MD

Departments of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Surgical Oncology and Radiation Oncology, Bangalore Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India

Rao Nalini, MD

Departments of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Surgical Oncology and Radiation Oncology, Bangalore Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India

Vinod Kumar, MSc

Department of Yoga Research, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bangalore, India

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.

Key Words: yoga • breast cancer • meditation • cortisol • stress

This version was published on March 1, 2009

Integrative Cancer Therapies, Vol. 8, No. 1, 37-46 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1534735409331456


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