Stress management in breast cancer patients by healing breath program. G. Kamboj, S. S. Tejwani, P. Nangia-Makker, N. Oja-Tebbe; Henry Ford Health system, Detroit, MI; Wayne State University, Detroit, MI Abstract: Background: Our aim in this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of the yoga and meditation techniques on quality of life (QOL) in patients with breast cancer, and to corelate it with changes in plasma cortisol and prolactin levels, as objective measures of stress. Methods: Patients with any stage of breast cancer and undergoing any kind of treatment were included in this study. They underwent a two day course on stress management and relaxation techniques, yoga and meditation, healthy living and breathing exercises taught by a certified instructor. Participants were encouraged to practice these techniques at home for 15-30 minutes daily. Plasma prolactin and cortisol levels were determined and QOL questionnaire was obtained at baseline, and roughly near days 21, 45, 90 and 6 months. Results: 22 patients with breast cancer participated in this pilot study. Only 9 patients completed the study till the last time point. Statistical analysis using mixed models with repeated measures revealed no significant differences in prolactin and cortisol values observed over time. However a trend towards improvement was observed in the cortisol levels, when the results were analyzed as % values of the baseline. An average reduction of 20.3% in 10 patients and an increase of 23.4% in other 6 was observed on day 21 out of a total 16 compliant patients. At about 45 days, in 9 patients a reduction of average 28.7 was observed, whereas 4 patients showed an increase of 15%. Prolactin levels did not show any trend, suggesting that it may not be a useful marker for evaluation of stress. Baseline scores for Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) were marginally smaller than the day 15 FACT scores (p=0.0179) suggesting a trend towards improvement in quality of life after intervention. Conclusion: Our pilot study showed a trend towards improvement in QOL as well as cortisol levels, however these differences were not statistically significant and larger sample size with more compliant patients is needed to validate this suggested trend. Abstract No: 8214 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.