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Table 2 Characteristics of the included studies

From: Yoga for breast cancer patients and survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors, year

No. of patients

Mean age

Status of cancer

Current treatment

Treatment group: Intervention

Control group: Intervention

Outcome measures Outcome assessment

Results

Program length, frequency, duration

Program length, frequency, duration

a) Short-term follow-up

b) Long-term follow-up

Banasik et al., 2011 [23]

18

62.9

II-IV

At least 2 month post-treatment

Iyengar Yoga: yoga postures

Wait-list, no treatment

Health-related quality of life (FACT-B)

No significant effects.

8 weeks, twice weekly, 90 minutes

8 weeks

a) Week 8

b) NA

Banerjee et al., 2007 [24]

68

44

II-III

Radiotherapy

Integrated yoga program: yoga postures, deep relaxation, breathing techniques, meditation, guided imagery, group awareness

Supportive counseling and advice to take light exercise

Anxiety (HADS)

Significant short-term effects on anxiety (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.001), perceived stress (p < 0.001).

6 weeks, frequency NR, 90 minutes

6 weeks, frequency and duration NR

Depression (HADS)

Perceived stress (PSS)

a) Week 6

b) NA

Blank et al., 2003 [25]

18

NR

I-III

Antiestrogen or aromatase inhibitor, at least 8 weeks post-chemotherapy

Iyengar yoga: yoga postures, deep relaxation, meditation, chanting

Wait-list, no treatment

Questionnaire regarding perceived stress, psychological outcomes

No group comparison.

8 weeks, twice weekly, duration NR

8 weeks

a) Week 6

b) NA

Bower et al., 2011 [26]

31

53.9

0-II

No local and/or adjuvant cancer therapy

Iyengar yoga: postures, breathing techniques

Health education

Vitality (SF-36)

Significant short-term effects on depression (p = 0.026).

12 weeks, twice weekly, 90 minutes

12 weeks, once weekly, 120 minutes

Depression (BDI)

Clinically important long-term effects on vitality.

Perceived stress (PSS)

a) weeks 12 to 14

b) week 24

Carson et al., 2009 [27]

37

54.4

I-II

No current chemotherapy or hormone replacement therapy

Yoga of Awareness: yoga postures, breathing techniques, meditation, study of pertinent topics, group discussion

Wait-list, no treatment

Daily diary regarding negative mood, symptom-related distress

Significant short-term effects on symptom-related distress (p < 0.0001).

8 weeks, once weekly, 120 minutes

8 weeks

a) Week 6

Significant long-term effects on symptom-related distress (p < 0.0001) and negative mood (p < 0.0001).

b) Week 20

Chandwani et al., 2010 [28]

81

NR

0-III

Radiotherapy

Yoga based on Patanjali`s yoga sutras: yoga postures, deep relaxation, breath control, meditation

Wait-list, no treatment

Health-related quality of life (SF-36)

Significant short-term effects on SF-36 physical component score (p = 0.04), general health (p = 0.005), physical function (p = 0.04).

6 weeks, twice weekly, 60 minutes

6 weeks

Depression (CES-D)

No significant long-term effects.

Anxiety (STAI)

Intrusion/avoidance (IES)

a) Week 7

b) Week 18

Danhauer et al., 2009 [29]

44

55.8

Any

Any

Restorative yoga: yoga postures, breathing techniques, deep relaxation, meditation

Wait-list, no treatment

Health-related quality of life (FACT-B, FACIT-Sp, SF-12)

Significant short-term effects on mental well-being (p = 0.004), spiritual well-being (p = 0.0009), depression (p = 0.026), positive affect (p = 0.01).

10 weeks, once weekly, 75 minutes

10 weeks

Depression (CES-D)

Positive and negative affect (PANAS)

a) Week 10

b) NA

Kovačič & Kovačič, 2011 [30]

32

NR

I-II

Radiotherapy, chemotherapy

Yoga in Daily Life® System: breathing techniques, deep relaxation, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation

Standard physiotherapy

Mental well-being (GHQ-12)

Significant short-term effects on mental well-being (p < 0.0005), perceived stress (p < 0.0005).

1 week, 7 times a week, 45 minutes

1 week

Psychological distress (RSCL)

Significant long-term effects on mental well-being (p < 0.0005), psychological distress (p < 0.0005), perceived stress (p < 0.0005).

Standard physiotherapy

Perceived stress (PSS)

1 week

a) Week 2

b) Week 5

Littman et al., 2011 [31]

63

60.6

0-III

At least 3 month post-treatment

Viniyoga: yoga postures, breathing techniques, deep relaxation, meditation

Wait-list, no treatment

Health-related quality of life (FACT-B)

No significant effects.

6 months, 1 to 3 times a week 75 minutes

6 month

a) Week 48

b) NA

Moadel et al., 2007 [32]

164

54.81

I-III

Any

Hatha yoga: yoga postures, breathing, techniques, meditation

Wait-list, no treatment

Health-related quality of life (FACT-G, FACIT-Sp)

Significant short-term effect on social well-being (p < 0.018).

12 weeks, once weekly, 90 minutes

12 weeks

Anxiety (Distressed Mood Index)

Psychological distress (Distressed Mood Index)

a) Week 12

b) Week 24 (NR)

Raghavendra et al., 2007 [33]

98

NR

II-III

Chemotherapy

Integrated yoga program: yoga postures, breathing techniques, relaxation with imagery, chanting

Brief supportive therapy

Health-related quality of life (FLIC)

Significant short-term effects on overall health-related quality of life (p < 0.001), anxiety (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.001), symptom distress (p < 0.001).

Program length NR, 30 minutes 4 times, 60 minutes every 10 days

Program length NR, 60 minutes once, 30 minutes every 10 days

Anxiety (STAI)

Depression (BDI)

Symptom distress (Subjective Symptom Checklist)

a) NR

b) NA

Vadiraja et al., 2009 [3436]

88

47.23

II-III

Radiotherapy

Integrated yoga program: yoga postures, breathing techniques, relaxation with imagery, meditation

Brief supportive therapy

Health-related quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) Anxiety (HADS) Depression (HADS) Positive and negative affect (PANAS)

Significant short-term effects on emotional function (p = 0.001), cognitive function (p = 0.03), anxiety (p < 0.001), depression (p = 0.002), positive affect (p = 0.007), negative affect (p < 0.001), perceived stress (p < 0.001), psychological distress (p < 0.001).

6 weeks, 60 minutes at least 3 times a week (18–24 session in total)

6 weeks, 15 minutes every 10 days (3–4 sessions in total)

Perceived stress (PSS)

Psychological distress (RSCL)

a) Week 6

b) NA

  1. Abbreviations: BDI: Beck’s Depression Inventory; CES-D: Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; EORTC QLQ-C30: European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30; FACT: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (B: Breast; G: General; Sp: Spirituality); FLIC: Functional Living Index for Cancer; GHQ-12: General Health Questionnaire-12; HADS: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; IES: Impact of Events Scale; PANAS: Positive & negative affect schedule; PSS: support cancer care; RSCL: Rotterdam Symptom Checklist; STAI: State Trait Anxiety Inventory; SF-36/-12: Medical Outcomes Study 36/12-item short-form survey; NA: not applicable; NR: not reported.