Medical YOga dUring CANcer Treatment in a Digital or Physical Setting - a PREFERensbased Study

Medical Yoga During Cancer Treatment in a Digital or Physical Setting - a Preference-based Study

To enhance the implementation of yoga in cancer care, studies that explore patients with cancer preferences for the execution of yoga, effects, and the experience of participating in group yoga sessions online compared to in-person sessions is required. The aim of the YouCanPrefer-study is to explore preferences, expectations, implementation, experiences, and effects of participating in in-person group yoga sessions at a yoga studio compared to participating in online-yoga at home for patients with cancer undergoing oncological treatment. Additionally, the aim is to study health-related outcomes of yoga. Patients diagnosed with cancer undergoing oncological treatment at two hospitals in Sweden will be included in the study. A preference-based allocation will be used, participants chose self if they want to participate in in-person yoga at a studio or in yoga online. Regardless of allocation, the yoga sessions will take place in a group setting once a week for a duration of 12 weeks. All participants will also have access to a yoga application on their tablets or cell phones, with a recommendation to engage in self-guided yoga for at least 10 minutes per day.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with cancer and scheduled for or initiated oncological treatment at an oncology clinic.
• Received written information about the study.
• Willing to participate in the study and able to follow the protocol.
• Understanding and expressing themselves in Swedish.
• Age ≥ 18 years.
• Provided informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with severe cognitive impairments such as dementia and serious psychiatric illness.
• Patients with significant physical disabilities that may hinder yoga.
• Patients with difficulties completing questionnaires.
• Expected survival of less than 3 months.