The Effect of Yoga Breathing Exercise on Stress and Sleep Quality in Women With Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of yoga breathing exercise (YBE) on perceived stress and sleep quality in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. SAMPLE AND SETTING: This randomized, sham-controlled trial was conducted in the chemotherapy unit of a university hospital in Türkiye from November 2023 to April 2024 and involved 60 women with stage II-III breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS AND VARIABLES: Participants were randomized to a YBE group or a sham breathing group. Both groups received standard oncology care, and the YBE group additionally practiced 4-4-4-4 yoga breathing twice daily for five minutes during 21 days. Data were collected at baseline and after the 21-day intervention period. Perceived stress and sleep quality were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: After 21 days, the YBE group showed significantly greater reductions in perceived stress (mean difference = -6.23, p < 0.001) and improved sleep quality (mean difference = -2.1, p < 0.001) compared with the sham group. No adverse events were reported. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: YBE can be integrated into supportive oncology nursing care as a low-cost, nonpharmacologic intervention to address stress and sleep disturbances during chemotherapy.