Role of Exercise in Breast Cancer Patient Undergoing Treatment

Randomized Controlled Evaluating the Role of Exercise in Women Undergoing Treatment for Breast Cancer

Randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of yoga on QOL is also powered to evaluate the impact of yoga on survival. Study involves various phases of yoga(divided in three phases: Phase I/II/III) during treatment and survivorship, with a comparative analysis of different time points and the response to yoga, which will help integrating yoga as a complementary modality. Also, this study will help identify the long term and short term effects of this therapy in breast cancer patients and survivors.

One of the main differences between yoga and other forms of physical activity is that yoga exercises oppose violent muscle movement and is designed to counteract fatigue through relaxation and breathing. 6 monthly Follow Up will be for 5 years followed by yearly follow up.

Women with breast cancer are constantly exploring measures in addition to ongoing conventional therapy to relieve disease related symptoms, minimize side effects associated with conventional treatment, reduce their risk of recurrence and enhance their prospects for survival. Breast cancer survival rates have considerably improved over the years with the advent of new therapeutic measures and early detection. However its treatment sequelae are associated with significant changes in quality of life (QOL) and well being. Fatigue is one of the most prevalent QOL concerns, affecting 30% to 70% of breast cancer survivors.

Yoga is based on the practice of physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation. Philosophically, it aims at increasing the body's ability to master the mind with the goal of spiritual awareness and connection. A randomized trial of yoga in women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy demonstrated an improvement in impact of events scale at 3 months suggesting that the more intrusive thoughts at 1 month the greater the finding of meaning in cancer by 3 months.

• This is the first randomized controlled trial of this magnitude (850 women), which in addition to testing the impact of yoga on QOL is also powered to evaluate the impact of yoga on survival
• This is a longitudinal study measuring various phases of yoga during treatment and survivorship, with a comparative analysis of different time points and the response to yoga , which will help integrating yoga as a complementary modality
• Also, this study will help identify the long term and short term effects of this therapy in breast cancer patients and survivors
• The exercises are carefully designed keeping the phase of treatment or recovery of the breast cancer patient/survivor in focus.
• Chronic ailments have also been kept in mind (eg: which impede mobility or flexibility ie: spondylosis)
• One of the main differences between yoga and other forms of physical activity is that yoga exercises oppose violent muscle movement and is designed to counteract fatigue through relaxation and breathing.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women with unilateral breast cancer
• Age 18-65 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Metastatic breast cancer
• Pregnant Women
• Women with physical limitations to perform exercises
• Previous history of cancer