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Table 6 Summary of the effects of yoga compared to control on psychosocial outcomes

From: Physical and psychosocial benefits of yoga in cancer patients and survivors, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

PSYCHOSOCIAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Reference [56] [51] [31] [58] [32] [55] [44] [52] [53] [57] [54] [49] [50] [46] [47] [48]
Year 2011 2007 2003 2011 2009 2010 2004 2006 2009 2011 2007 2007 2009 2009a 2009b 2009c
Sample size 18 58 18 31 37 61 39 38 44 63 128 62 98 88 88 88
Treatment AT RT HT AT AT RT Mix AT Mix AT Mix CT CT + RT RT RT RT
Quality high high low high high high High high high high high high high high high high
Distress   ↓ ↓ N.S. ↓ N.S. N.S.      ↓ ↓ ↓   ↓
Anxiety   ↓ ↓    N.S. N.S.     ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓   
Depression   ↓   ↓   N.S. N.S.   ↓    ↓   ↓   N.S.
Fatigue ↓    ↓ ↓ N.S. N.S.   N.S. N.S. N.S.      
Sleep disturbance     N.S. ↓ N.S. ↓   N.S.        ↓
General HRQoL ↑      ↑   ↑ ↑ N.S. ↑ ↑     
Emotional function N.S.      N.S.    ↑ N.S. ↑     ↑  
Social function N.S.      N.S.   N.S. N.S. N.S. ↑     N.S.  
Role function       N.S.          N.S.  
Cognitive function                ↑  
Positive affect          ↑       ↑  
Negative affect          ↑       ↑  
Vigor     ↑ ↑            
Mood    ↑   ↑            
Anger-hostility            ↓      
Spirituality          ↑   ↑      
Relaxation    ↑   ↑            
Confusion            N.S.      
Mental Health       N.S.    ↑        
Acceptance      ↑            
  1. ↑ = increase after yoga compared to control; ↓ decrease after yoga compared to control; N.S. no significant differences between yoga and control
  2. AT after treatment, CT chemotherapy, HT hormonal therapy, RT radiotherapy, mix, mixed group of patients during and after treatment.
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BMC Cancer

ISSN: 1471-2407

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