The effects of yoga and self-esteem on menopausal symptoms and quality of life in breast cancer survivors—A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives Previous research has found that yoga can enhance quality of life and ease menopausal symptoms of breast cancer survivors. The study examined whether self-esteem mediated the effects of yoga on quality of life, fatigue and menopausal symptoms, utilizing validated outcome measures. Study design This is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of yoga with those of usual care in 40 breast cancer survivors who suffered from menopausal symptoms. All participants completed all 3 assessments (week 0, week 12, and week 24) and provided full data. Main outcome measures Outcomes were measured using self-rating instruments. Mediation analyses were performed using SPSS. Results Self-esteem mediated the effect of yoga on total menopausal symptoms (B = −2.11, 95% BCI [−5.40 to −0.37]), psychological menopausal symptoms (B = −0.94, 95% BCI [−2.30 to −0.01]), and urogenital menopausal symptoms (B = −0.66, 95% BCI [−1.65 to −0.15]), quality of life (B = 8.04, 95% BCI [3.15–17.03]), social well-being (B = 1.80, 95% BCI [0.54–4.21]), emotional well-being (B = 1.62, 95% BCI [0.70–3.34]), functional well-being (B = 1.84, 95% BCI [0.59–4.13]), and fatigue (B = 4.34, 95% BCI [1.28–9.55]). Self-esteem had no effect on somatovegetative menopausal symptoms (B = −0.50, 95% BCI n.s.) or on physical well-being (B = 0.79, 95% BCI n.s.). Conclusions Findings support the assumption that self-esteem plays a vital role in the beneficial effect of yoga and that yoga can have long-term benefits for women diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing menopausal transition.