Yoga reduces pain, fatigue in cancer patients, says Mumbai’s Tata hospital

Mumbai city news: Dr Nita Nair, who led the study, said it was one of the largest in terms of the sample size. It had 850 participants, all of whom had been operated on for non-metastatic breast cancer.

Yoga can go a long way in reducing pain, fatigue and emotional distress in breast cancer survivors, according to a new study by researchers at Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Parel.

The study showed that 52% women who included yoga in their exercise routines showed emotional improvement as compared to 42% in those who didn’t. (HT file photo)

Dr Nita Nair, who led the study, said it was one of the largest in terms of the sample size. It had 850 participants, all of whom had been operated on for non-metastatic breast cancer. Non-metastatic cancers are those that haven’t spread from their primary site to other parts of the body and are relatively easier to treat, she said.

The study showed that 52% women who included yoga in their exercise routines showed emotional improvement as compared to 42% in those who didn’t.

Similarly, pain levels and fatigue levels were found to be lower in the group that performed yoga regularly.

The participants were assessed over a period of nearly a year, said Nair.

“When used as complimentary therapy, yoga had a major benefit in combatting fatigue, emotional functional and pain in women with operable, non-metastatic breast cancer,” she said.