CANCER - Yoga for cancer survivors

A recent study has found that gentle yoga practice 

improves the quality of life for cancer survivors.

 

Cancer survivors who took part in a month-long yoga program reported better sleep, less fatigue and less need for sleep medications, as well as an overall enhanced quality of life, a new study reports.

The study authors looked at a group of more than 400 cancer survivors who took up a program that consisted of a blend of hatha and restorative yoga. The participants reported an improvement in sleep quality of 22 per cent.

Fatigue rates decreased by 42 per cent, daytime sleepiness was reduced by 20 per cent, and six per cent of participants reported an improvement in overall quality of life.

"It is possible that gentle hatha and restorative yoga classes might be useful ... in helping with side effects of cancer treatment," says study author Karen Mustian.

"What we can't say at this time is whether other forms of yoga, such as heated or more rigorous types of yoga, would be effective in mitigating these side effects or be safe for cancer survivors."

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/