YOGA IN THE LIFE OF A CANCER PATIENT – A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Yoga exists in the context of health care, complementary therapy, movement training techniques as well as religious philosophy. Many studies suggest yoga is a non-demanding activity that can effectively reduce anxiety, depression, and pain in the adult population with acute and chronic health conditions without adverse effects. Based on the results of numerous studies, yoga intervention can improve mental health and improve the quality of life of cancer patients or survivors. This paper focuses on yoga and its impact on alleviating the symptoms of cancer and the treatment. Based on the reviewed literature, the results of the studies suggest the problem of heterogeneous study design, lack of quantitative findings and lack of evidence regarding the long-term effects of yoga on the personal well-being of cancer patients. Future research should focus on systematic reviews or meta-analyses to provide further evidence on the type and effectiveness of yoga during or after cancer treatment for specific cancers.