- 1
- College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA. t_r_taylor@howard.edu.
- 2
- Community Outreach Associates, P.O. Box 9379, Washington, DC, 20005, USA.
- 3
- Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, and Biomathematics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
- 4
- Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Research Building, E501, 3970 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC, 20057, USA.
- 5
- Department of Psychology, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA.
- 6
- College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Data
show that yoga is effective for improving health-related outcomes in
breast cancer survivors. While breast cancer is the most commonly
diagnosed cancer among African-American women (AAW), AAW are less likely
to engage in yoga compared to other ethnic groups. The goals of the
current study were to assess the feasibility of an 8-week restorative
yoga program among African-American breast cancer survivors (AA BCS).
Specifically, study aims were to (1) measure changes in study outcomes
in a restorative yoga (RY) group compared to a wait list control group, (2) assess adherence to the RY program, and (3) assess program satisfaction among study participants.
METHODS:
Thirty-three AA BCS were randomly assigned to either the RY intervention (n = 18) or wait list control group (n = 15). RY
classes met once per week for 8 weeks. Pre- and post-testing
assessments were measured at 0 and 8 weeks (immediately
post-intervention).
RESULTS:
Depression
scores at follow-up were significantly lower in the yoga group
(M = 4.78, SD = 3.56) compared to the control group (M = 6.91,
SD = 5.86). No significant group differences were observed for sleep
quality, fatigue, or perceived stress. Yoga program participants
completing baseline assessments demonstrated 61% adherence to the yoga
classes. Average rating of the yoga program was "very useful."
Recommendations for future yoga programs were provided.
CONCLUSIONS:
This
study suggests that yoga has a beneficial effect on depression in AA
BCS. There is, however, a need to further explore the benefits of yoga
among minority breast cancer survivors using a study with larger sample
sizes.
KEYWORDS:
African-American; Breast cancer survivors; Yoga
