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Balance Changes in Adult Cancer Survivors Participating in a 16-Week Therapeutic Yoga Program.

Integrative cancer therapies
May 5, 2025
Mark J Miller et al. (9 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
integrative therapeutic yoga intervention supplemented with psychosocial support
no change
balance
heterogenous population of cancer survivors
not statistically significant
did not support our hypothesis at the group level
#1
integrative therapeutic yoga intervention supplemented with psychosocial support
no change
balance with eyes opened
cancer survivors
80.06 ± 374.99, p = .702
Changes in both balance assessment conditions were not statistically significant
#2
integrative therapeutic yoga intervention supplemented with psychosocial support
no change
balance with eyes closed
cancer survivors
-1.82 ± 24.01, p = .068
Changes in both balance assessment conditions were not statistically significant
#3
integrative therapeutic yoga intervention supplemented with psychosocial support
increase
balance with eyes opened
8 participants
10% difference from baseline scores
improved
#4
integrative therapeutic yoga intervention supplemented with psychosocial support
decrease
balance with eyes opened
8 participants
10% difference from baseline scores
worsened
#5
integrative therapeutic yoga intervention supplemented with psychosocial support
no change
balance with eyes opened
6 participants
10% difference from baseline scores
did not change
#6
integrative therapeutic yoga intervention supplemented with psychosocial support
increase
balance with eyes closed
5 participants
10% difference from baseline scores
improved
#7
integrative therapeutic yoga intervention supplemented with psychosocial support
decrease
balance with eyes closed
8 participants
10% difference from baseline scores
worsened
#8
integrative therapeutic yoga intervention supplemented with psychosocial support
no change
balance with eyes closed
9 participants
10% difference from baseline scores
did not change
#9
integrative therapeutic yoga intervention supplemented with psychosocial support
increase
balance
some survivors
-
indicated improved balance in some survivors
#10
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Balance problems arising from cancer and its treatments can significantly impact daily functionality and quality of life. Improving balance as part of a cancer treatment plan could result in better patient outcomes. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether an integrative therapeutic yoga intervention can improve balance in a heterogenous population of cancer survivors (CS). METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of data from a 16-week feasibility study where therapeutic yoga was supplemented with psychosocial support to maximize health-related quality of life in adult CS of any stage and site. In this study, we investigated balance, as it has been shown to be an important outcome in CS due to its role in physical function and quality of life. The intervention included therapeutic yoga three times per week for 16 weeks and daily psychosocial support provided via text message. Participants' balance was assessed while standing on a pressure mat with feet together, eyes opened and closed, for 30 seconds in each condition. Data on the "sway path distance" (displacement of the center of gravity) in the two conditions were obtained. Changes in balance after the intervention (from baseline to follow-up) were analyzed using paired-sample t-tests. Changes in balance were also assessed using responder analysis. We described the proportion of participants that improved their balance or not based on 10% difference from baseline scores. RESULTS: Of the 29 participants included, 22 (76%) completed post-assessments. Changes in both balance assessment conditions were not statistically significant (eyes opened: 80.06 ± 374.99, p = .702; eyes closed: -1.82 ± 24.01, p = .068). Responder analysis showed that 8 participants improved their balance with eyes opened, while 8 worsened, and 6 did not change. Analysis of balance with eyes closed showed that 5 improved, 8 worsened, and 9 did not change. CONCLUSION: This secondary analysis of data from a heterogenous cohort of adult CS did not support our hypothesis at the group level. However, at the individual level, responder analysis indicated improved balance in some survivors. Future research is needed to determine factors related to the cancer experience which might mediate balance outcomes to inform better integrative interventions.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansYogaCancer SurvivorsFemaleMalePostural BalanceMiddle AgedQuality of LifeAdultNeoplasmsAgedFeasibility Studies
Study Links
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
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