Evaluation of yoga therapy as a psychotherapeutic intervention in breast cancer patients on conventional combined modality of treatment. Author(s): K. S. Gopinath, R. Rao, N. Raghuram, N. Rama Rao, T. Shirley, C. Vinay, S. Chandrashekara, B. S. Srinath. The Yoga Study Group; Bangalore Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India; Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bangalore, India; M.S Ramaiah Medical Teaching Hospital, Bangalore, India Abstract: To compare the efficacy of yoga therapy with supportive therapy sessions in reducing psychological distress, improving quality of life, reducing pain and enhancing anti-tumour immune responses in subjects with locally advanced breast cancer undergoing 6 cycles of standard dose-systemic adjuvant chemotherapy. 69 subjects with stage II and III breast cancer matched for age, stage of disease, node status and conventional treatment regimen were randomly allocated to either yoga group (Intervention), n=32, age=47.06(7.76) or supportive therapy (control), n=37, age- 50.84(10.49), prior to their primary treatment. Subjects in yoga group were imparted various relaxation techniques pranayama and breathing exercises, and control group were imparted supportive therapy sessions involving counseling and reinforced social support during the post operative period. Subjects completed a battery of psychological tests. Blood draws for evaluation of Cytokines (sIL2r, TNF Alpha, IFN Gamma), CD56 counts and Serum Immunoglobulin assessments (IgG, IgM and IgA) were also carried out before and after adjuvant chemotherapy. There was no significant improvement in affective states such as anxiety and depression among groups during the post operative phase. Subjects in the yoga group had lower pain scores (p<0.01) than control group. They also had significantly lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF Alpha (p< 0.036) and s IL2 r (p<0.03) than controls. Yoga group also had significantly lower levels of serum IgA (P<0.04) and higher levels of CD56 counts (p< 0.036) than control group envisaging effective anti-tumour immune response Subjects in the yoga group had lower serum levels of IgA (r= -0.36,p<0.005) indicating reduced disease activity and higher levels of CD56 counts (NKH-1clones) (p<0.05) as compared to control group. The results suggest a possible use for yoga therapy as a psychotherapeutic intervention in reducing psychological morbidity; treatment toxicity and improving quality of life and antitumour immune responses in breast cancer patients undergoing conventional treatment for cancer. ASCO Abstract #101 Adjuvant Therapy 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.