Table 2 Description of yoga programs, in alphabetical order of first author and attendance to yoga class

Banasik 2011 [56]

Y Iyengar yoga given by expert Iyenger instructors, with focus on training and accepting the physical form of the body without specific meditation component.

Average 14 classes out of 16 (87.5%), range 12 – 15.

D 8 weeks, twice a week, 90 min per session

H -

C wait-list

Banerjee, 2007 [51]

Y Meditative practice, slow stretching and loosening exercises, motivation and counseling, yoga asanas, group awareness practices, pranayama, deep relaxation (yoga nidra) given by expert yoga trainers.

?

D 6-weeks; 90 min per session

H Patients were provided with audio and video tools to practice at home and were followed up via telephone during weekends to ensure continuity of the practice.

C Supportive counseling and advised to take light exercise.

Blank, 2003 [31]

Y Iyengar Yoga, including seated meditation, active asana, restorative poses, savasana.

?

D 8 weeks, 2 times per week

H 1 home practice per week

C wait-list control

Bower, 2012 [58]

Y Iyengar yoga classes were taught by a certified Junior Intermediate Iyengar yoga instructor and an assistant under the guidance of a senior teacher.

The mean number of yoga classes attended was 18.9 of 24 classes (78%), and the median was 22 of 24 classes (92%).

D 12 weeks, twice a week, 90 min.

H -

C Health education classes were conducted for 120 min once a week for 12 weeks. Classes were led by a PhD-level psychologist with clinical experience in the treatment of breast cancer survivors.

Carson, 2009 [32]

Y Yoga of Awareness given by certified yoga teacher: 40 min yoga poses, 10 min breathing techniques, 25 min meditation, 20 min of study pertinent topics and 25 min group discussion

Average 6 classes out of 8 (75%). 3 women less than 4 classes (3/17 = 17.6%)

D 8 weeks, once a week, 120 min

H Patients were encouraged to practice daily at home with aid of CD recordings and illustrated hand books.

C Wait-list control

Chandwani, 2010 [55]

Y The multidimensional yoga module was given a trained yoga instructor: 10 warm-up movements synchronized with breathing, 25 min maintenance in selected postures, 10 min deep relaxation, 5 min pranayama, 10 min mediation.

15 (50%) all 12 classes; 8 (28%) attended 11 classes; 1 (3%) attended 10 classes; 1 only 2 classes. One attended 3 classes, one 4, one 5, one 7 and one 8 classes. Average number of classes was 10.2 (85%); SD: 2.96; range 2 – 12. Home practice: 8 (28%) reported practicing

D 6 weeks, 2 times per week; 60 min per session

H Patients were encouraged to practice type full yoga once per day outside the classes, supported by a 60-min audio CD of the yoga program and a manual with photographs and instructions.

C Wait-list control

Cohen, 2004 [44]

Y Tibetan yoga sessions given by experienced instructor, divided into 4 aspects: controlled breathing and visualization, mindfulness, and postures.

32% all sessions; 26% 5 or 6 sessions; 32% 2 or 3 sessions; 10% 1 session

D 7 weekly sessions

H Patients were encouraged to practice the techniques at least once per day, supported by audiotape that walked them though all of the techniques.

C Wait-list control

Culos-Reed, 2006 [52]

Y Classes were led by a certified yoga instructed and included 10 min gentle breathing; 50 min Yoga asanas; 15 min savasana.

D 7 weeks, 75 min.

H -

C Wait-list control

Danhauer, 2009 [53]

Y Restorative yoga classes were taught by a yoga instructor with cancer-specific yoga training and combined yoga asanas, pranayama, savasana.

Mean 5.8 (3.4) classes out of 10 (58%) 2 (10%) women 100%; 3 (14%) 0% of classes

D 10 weekly 75-min classes

H -

C Wait-list control

Littman, 2011 [57]

Y Viniyoga, a Hatha therapeutic type o f yoga given by certified experienced yoga instructors: 5–10 min centering exercises to promote relaxation and internal focus, 50–60 min of seated and standing poses, 10–15 min guided relaxation, breathing exercises and meditation.

Mean 19.6 (range 1–61; median 20.5) classes. Home practice: 55.8 times (range 2 – 102; median 62).

D 6 months, 5 times per week including at least one 75-min class

H patients were given a DVD, VD and booklets of four home practices lasting 20–30 min each.

C Wait-list control

Moadel, 2007 [54]

Y Classes were given by a certified yoga instructor and included 3 yoga components: physical stretches and poses, breathing exercises, and meditation.

High adherence (>6 classes): n = 33 (; Low adherence (1–6 classes), n = 24; No adherence (0 classes), n = 27. Average attendance 7 out of 12 classes (58%).

D 12 weekly 1.5 hrs classes (more allowed)

H Patients were asked to practice yoga at home daily and given an audiotape/compact disk for guidance.

C Wait-list control

Raghavendra, 2007 [49]

Y Integrated yoga program administered by an instructor: asanas, breathing exercise, pranayama, meditation and yogic relaxation techniques with imagery.

?

D 30 min before the start of the chemotherapy infusion (once in 10 days, number of cycles 4–8).

H Patients were provided with audiotapes of these exercises for home practice and asked to practice daily for 1 h for 6 days/week during intervals between chemotherapy cycles.

C Supportive therapy and coping preparation

Rao, 2009 [50]

Y Integrated yoga program administered by an instructor: asanas, breathing, pranayama, mediation and yogic relaxation techniques with imagery.

?

D Four sessions during pre- and post operative period, 3 in-person sessions per week for 6 weeks during radiotherapy. During chemotherapy, subjects underwent person sessions during their hospital visits for chemotherapy administration (once in 21 days) and an additional yoga session once in 10 days.

H Patients were given booklets, audiotapes with instructions on practices for home practice.

C Supportive therapy sessions

Vadiraja, 2009 [46–48]

Y Integrated yoga program administered by an instructor: asanas, breathing, pranayama, mediation and yogic relaxation techniques with imagery.

29.7% attended 10-20% supervised sessions, 56.7% attended 20–25, 13.7% attended >25 supervised sessions over a 6-week period. Attend minimal 3x/wk for 6 weeks → 18 classes.

D Minimum of 3 in-person sessions per week for 6 weeks during radio treatment; 1 hour per session. In total between 18–24 yoga sessions.

H Patients were given booklets, audiotapes with instructions on practices for home practice.

C Supportive therapy with education. 15-min counseling sessions once every 10 days during 6 weeks (3 or 4 sessions in total).