Effects of Yoga on Cancer-Related Fatigue, Psychological Distress, and Quality of Life Among Patients With Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy and/or Radiotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Yoga can be considered supportive therapy for patients with cancer to alleviate cancer-related symptoms. However, there has been no meta-analysis examining yoga's effects among patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE

To synthesize the evidence regarding the effects of yoga on improving cancer-related fatigue, psychological distress, and quality of life among patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

METHODS

Ten English databases and 2 Chinese databases were searched from inception to December 2022. Two independent reviewers screened studies and extracted the data. Randomized controlled trials examining the effects of yoga on cancer-related fatigue, psychological distress, and quality of life were included. Meta-analysis was conducted, and narrative synthesis was performed when meta-analysis was not applicable.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies from 16 articles were included. The results showed that yoga reduced cancer-related fatigue (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.12 to -0.38; P < .001), anxiety (SMD, -0.91; 95% CI, -1.68 to -0.14; P = .02), but not depression (SMD, -0.82; 95% CI, -1.67 to 0.04; P = .06). The effects of yoga on distress and quality of life were inconclusive.

CONCLUSIONS

Yoga significantly helped reduce cancer-related fatigue and anxiety but did not reduce depression among patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Further rigorous studies are needed to identify the optimal characteristics of yoga for these patients.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

It is possible to recommend yoga to patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for managing cancer-related fatigue and anxiety after duly considering patients' physical conditions and ensuring appropriate instructions are given.