Pain, Psychological, and Endocannabinoid Responses to Yoga in Breast Cancer Survivors With Chemotherapy-induced Neuropathic Pain

Pain, Psychological, and Endocannabinoid Responses to Yoga in Breast Cancer Survivors With Chemotherapy-induced Neuropathic Pain

This study evaluates the acute effect of aerobic exercise and yoga on pain, plasma levels of endocannabinoids, and mood (i.e., mood disturbance and anxiety). Participants will complete three separate sessions on different days. The first session is a familiarization session in which participants complete questionnaires and are familiarized with the experimental protocols. During the second and third sessions, outcomes are measured before and after the participants complete either 44 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise (i.e., walking on a treadmill) or 44 minutes of yoga.

Inclusion Criteria:

• A diagnosis of breast cancer (stage 0-III),
• no evidence of active disease (i.e., recurrence, bone metastases, etc),
• presence of painful polyneuropathy, with onset coinciding or developing after receiving chemotherapy agents that in the opinion of the research team is likely to have caused such symptoms,
• at least six months since last active cancer treatment, with no further planned treatment (Note. active treatment is defined as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation),
• the participant agrees to use the safety stop feature on the treadmill if needed,
• at least 18 years of age,
• and their physicians has provided consent for them to participate in yoga and aerobic exercise sessions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Undergoing current chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer,
• taking anticoagulant therapy,
• uncontrolled medical conditions (i.e., uncontrolled hypertension, heart disease, stage 4 liver disease, end-stage renal disease, end-stage pulmonary disease, etc),
• stroke or myocardial infarction in the past 6 months,
• being pregnant or planning to become pregnant,
• severe mobility constraints (e.g., confined to a wheelchair),
• having a history of light headedness or fainting during blood draws or physical activity.