The effect of hatha yoga on range of motion and strength in patients with breast cancer

Abstract

Introduction. The study investigated the effects of hatha yoga on range of motion and strength in women with breast cancer. Methods. A total of 93 patients completed the study. Their mean age was 57.53 ± 1.92 years in the yoga group and 58.10 ± 1.17 years in the control group. The yoga group (n = 48) received hatha yoga intervention for 3 months; the control group (n = 45) received current best practice care, including recommendation about compression sleeves, skin protection, and care of the affected arm. The control group was offered hatha yoga intervention after the final measurement. The outcomes were dynamometry and shoulder range of motion to analyse the functional capacity of the affected upper limb. Results. After 3 months of performing hatha yoga, the active shoulder range of motion improved significantly in the affected limb and was significantly higher than in the control group: By 76.76° for flexion (p < 0.001), by 18.92° for extension (p < 0.001), by 80.21° for abduction (p < 0.001), by 33.29° for internal rotation (p < 0.001), by 27.36° for external rotation (p < 0.01). Strength for wrist flexion and power index in the affected limb improved by 6.0 kg (p < 0.001) and 8.25% (p < 0.001), respectively, in the yoga group and only by 1.1 kg (p > 0.05) and 1.44% (p > 0.05) in the control group. Conclusions. Hatha yoga is more beneficial than usual care for improving active shoulder range of motion and upper limb strength.