Yoga effectively reduces fatigue and symptoms of depression in patients with different types of cancer

Abstract

Purpose: Examine the effects of an 8-week yoga therapy on fatigue in patients with different types of cancer. Methods: A total of 173 cancer patients suffering from mild to severe fatigue were randomly allocated to yoga intervention (n = 84) (IG) versus waitlist control group (CG) (n = 88). Yoga therapy consisted of eight weekly sessions with 60 min each. The primary outcome was self-reported fatigue symptoms. Secondary outcomes were symptoms of depression and quality of life (QoL). Data were assessed using questionnaires before (T0) and after yoga therapy for IG versus waiting period for CG (T1). Results: A stronger reduction of general fatigue (P =.033), physical fatigue (P =.048), and depression (P