The Effects of the Bali Yoga Program for Breast Cancer Patients on Cancer Related Fatigue: Results of a Randomized Partially Blinded Controlled Trial

Background: A few complementary and alternative medicine methods have been reported to reduce cancer related fatigue (CRF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a yoga intervention in reducing CRF among women receiving chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized partially blinded controlled trial comparing a standardized yoga intervention to standard care. It was conducted at three medical centers in Montreal, Canada. Eligible patients were women diagnosed with stage I–III breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. Participants were randomly assigned to receive the yoga intervention immediately or after a waiting period. The Bali Yoga Program for Breast Cancer patients (BYP-BC) consisted of 24 gentle poses, 2 breathing techniques, relaxation periods, and psychoeducational themes. Participants attended eight weekly sessions lasting 90 minutes and a DVD for home practice with 20- and 40-minute sessions. Participants in the waitlist (WL) control group received standard care. Results: Forty-eight participants were included in the study. The repeated measure analyses revealed no significant increase in general fatigue in the BYP-BC group (P = 0.66) while it significantly worsened in the WL group (P = 0.000). Motivation improved in the BYP-BC group (P = 0.01) and worsened in the WL group (P = 0.01). Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest BYP-BC could be beneficial in preventing worsening of CRF during chemotherapy.