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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
H. S. Vadiraja,
Rao M. Raghavendra*,
Raghuram Nagarathna,
H. R. Nagendra,
M. Rekha,
N. Vanitha,
K. S. Gopinath,
B. S. Srinath,
M. S. Vishweshwara,
Y. S. Madhavi,
B. S. Ajaikumar,
Bilimagga S. Ramesh,
Rao Nalini,
and
Vinod Kumar
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: raghav.hcgrf{at}gmail.com.
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Abstract |
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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.
First published on February 3, 2009, doi:10.1177/1534735409331456
Integrative Cancer Therapies 2009;8:37.
A more recent version of this article appeared on March 1, 2009

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