A Restorative Yoga Intervention for African-American Breast Cancer Survivors: a Pilot Study

Overview

Journal J Racial Ethn Health Disparities

Specialties Public Health
Social Sciences

Date 2017 Apr 16

PMID 28411330

Citations 14

Authors

Teletia R Taylor

Judith Barrow

Kepher Makambi

Vanessa Sheppard

Sherrie Flynt Wallington

Chloe Martin

Danyella Greene

Sri Lakshmi Hyndavi Yeruva

Sara Horton

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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.

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