Effects of Yoga on Menopausal Symptoms in Women With Breast Cancer

Randomized Controlled Trial of Yoga for Menopausal Symptoms in Women With Breast Cancer

Women with breast cancer and breast cancer survivors are often bothered by menopausal symptoms to a special degree. Treatment options for those symptoms are currently limited as hormone replacement therapy is often prohibited. Yoga has been shown to reduce menopausal symptoms as well as symptoms associated with breast cancer. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether a 12-week yoga intervention can reduce menopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer and breast cancer survivors.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Breast cancer (Stage I-III)
• After completion of surgical therapy
• After completion of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy
• Score of 5 or greater on the Menopausal Rating Scale
• Physical and cognitive capacity to participate in the yoga intervention
• Willingness to participate in 10 or more of the 12 yoga interventions
• signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Regular yoga practice in the past 12 months
• Planned surgery in the study period
• Diagnosed and medically treated psychosis
• Hormone replacement therapy