A review published June 2024 highlighted the effectiveness of yoga as a supplementary therapy for cancer patients, enhancing quality of life (QOL) and reducing anxiety, depression, and stress. The review, which evaluated 16 systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the topic, found yoga to improve physical symptoms like fatigue and sleep disturbances. This is not surprising as yoga is included in consensus guidelines in both the USA and Europe for its ability to improve mental health, overall functioning and quality of life.
Importantly the benefits of yoga for cancer care depend on the type, intervention format, and patient adherence, underscoring the need for personalised programs and most importantly yoga as therapy for cancer patients
As this review notes that many health providers realise the value of yoga in cancer care it provided recommendations for healthcare providers wanting to see its integration into systems they work in
Several key points for Healthcare Professionals were highlighted in the study, including:
- Advocating for yoga as a part of multidisciplinary care.
- Developing personalised yoga programs based on patient-specific conditions.
- Educating patients on yoga and its varying forms.
- Collaborating with policy makers to integrate yoga into clinical practice.
Let us know below if you are a healthcare professional integrating yoga in patient programmes and please share to spread the awareness of yoga’s role in healthcare by emailing marketing@themindedinstitute.
Alternatively, if you are a healthcare professional looking to learn yoga and it’s benefits, take our upcoming course Basic Yoga Techniques for Healthcare Professionals with Liz Oppedijk.
Read the full review here.
