Antidepressant effects of a yoga program in breast cancer patients undergoing conventional treatment: A randomized controlled trial

9556 Background: Depression is common among breast cancer patients and warrant clinical attention because of their adverse effects on quality of life in cancer patients. We compared the effects of a yoga program with supportive therapy on self-reported symptoms of depression in breast cancer patients undergoing conventional treatment. Methods: Thirty-eight stage II and III breast cancer outpatients were randomly assigned to receive yoga (n = 18) or brief supportive therapy (n = 20) over a 24-week period during which they underwent surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Intervention consisted of yoga sessions lasting 60 minutes daily while the control group was imparted supportive therapy during their hospital visits as a part of routine care. Primary outcome measure was self reported Beck’s Depression Inventory and secondary outcomes were symptom checklist quality of life assessed using modified version of Memorial symptom assessment scale and Functional living index of cancer respectively. Assessments were done at baseline, after surgery, before, during, and after radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Results: A GLM repeated measures ANOVA showed overall decrease in depression (p < 0.001) in yoga group as compared to controls. However, there was no significant group by time interaction effects. Post hoc tests using Bonferroni correction showed significant decreases in depression following surgery (p = 0.01), during radiotherapy (p = 0.005) and during chemotherapy (p < 0.001) in yoga group as compared to controls. There was a positive correlation between depression score with symptom severity and distress during conventional treatment intervals and negative correlation with quality of life. Conclusions: The results suggest that yoga can be used for managing self reported depressive symptoms in breast cancer patients undergoing conventional treatments. No significant financial relationships to disclose.