Yoga on QOL Physiological Distress&Fatigue, on Patients Affected by Breast Cancer in Adjuvant Radiotherapy

Monocentric, Randomized Clinical Trial About the Effect of Yoga Practice on QOL, Physiological Distress and Fatigue, on Patients Affected by Breast Cancer Undergoing Adjuvant Radiotherapy

The study aims to investigate, through serial measurements of some biomarkers, the potential mechanisms through which yoga impacts on QOL and fatigue.

The study aims to assess QoL, fatigue and physiological distress (cortisol and proinflammatory markers) with blood sampling on day 1,15 and last of radiotherapy, at 1-3-6 months after the end of radiotherapy.

Patients with breast cancer who will undergo radiotherapy will be randomly assigned to the yoga group (YG) or the control group (CG).

Patients in the YG will participate in 2 weekly yoga classes during the 5 weeks of radiation therapy. The classes will be coordinated with the treatment program and will be held in the vicinity of the radiation therapy center.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women with stage 0-III breast cancer who have undergone adjuvant daily radiotherapy for 5 weeks in Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo studio e la cura dei Tumori (IRST) Department of Radiation Oncology of Meldola.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with documented diagnosis of mental disorders (eg Schizophrenia)
• Patients with stage IV disease
• Patients with active or non-canalised deep vein thrombosis
• Patients not undergoing surgery for the basic oncological disease
• Patients with mobility problems (eg unable to get up from the chair)
• Patients who have practiced yoga or are practicing yoga in the 6 months before the cancer diagnosis.
• Patients diagnosed with lymphedema