Yoga for Young Adults with Cancer

Overseen By Amanda Wurz, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Calgary

Disqualifiers: Previous enrolment

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 30

Duration: 12 weeks

500 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how yoga might benefit young adults diagnosed with cancer. The goal is to determine if yoga can enhance both physical health and mental well-being during and after their cancer journey. Participants will join online group yoga classes twice a week for 12 weeks. It suits those diagnosed with cancer between ages 18-39 who can safely practice yoga and wish to see if it improves their physical and emotional well-being. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to investigate the potential benefits of yoga without the constraints of traditional clinical trial phases.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this yoga program is safe for young adults with cancer?

Research shows that yoga is generally safe for both adults and children, including those with cancer. Studies have found no serious side effects from practicing yoga, indicating that most people, even those with cancer, usually handle it well. Other studies involving young adults with cancer have also reported no major safety issues. Therefore, prospective participants can feel confident about the safety of trying yoga in this trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike traditional treatments for young adults with cancer, which often involve medications, surgery, or radiation, yoga offers a non-invasive, holistic approach. Researchers are excited about yoga because it aims to improve quality of life by reducing stress and enhancing physical and mental well-being, which are crucial for cancer patients. Delivered online in group-based classes, yoga is accessible and can provide a supportive community, making it a unique complementary option alongside conventional therapies.

What evidence suggests that yoga might be an effective treatment for cancer?

Research shows that yoga, which participants in this trial will receive, can help young adults with cancer. Studies have found that yoga reduces anxiety and depression, common issues for people with cancer. It also boosts spiritual and emotional well-being, offering a comprehensive way to support mental health. Additionally, yoga improves physical aspects like flexibility and mindfulness, enhancing overall quality of life. These findings suggest that yoga could complement regular cancer treatments effectively. ^{1 4 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

S. Nicole Culos-Reed, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Calgary

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adults aged 18-39 who have been diagnosed with cancer, are at any stage of treatment or recovery, and can safely do yoga. Participants must be able to understand and complete consent forms, questionnaires, physical assessments, and an interview in English.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to safely engage in yoga, as assessed by completing the Get Active Questionnaire and obtaining medical clearance (if indicated)

Willing and able to complete informed consent, questionnaires, physical assessments, and an interview in English

I am at any stage of my cancer treatment journey.

Exclusion Criteria

Previous enrolment in the study, to avoid contamination and/or ceiling effects.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive online, group-based yoga classes 2 times/week for 60 minutes/class over 12 weeks

12 weeks

24 virtual sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

52 weeks

Assessments at 6 months and 1 year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Yoga

Trial Overview

The study is testing a specially developed yoga program designed to improve the physical and psychological well-being of young adults with cancer. This single-group study will assess the effectiveness of the program through various methods including participant feedback.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Yoga Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants receive online, group-based yoga classes 2 times/week for 60 minutes/class over 12 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Calgary

Lead Sponsor

Trials

827

Recruited

902,000+

Canadian Cancer Society (CCS)

Collaborator

Trials

84

Recruited

42,100+

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials

1,417

Recruited

26,550,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 68 breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, an integrated yoga program significantly reduced anxiety and depression levels, as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), while the control group experienced increased anxiety and depression.

Although both groups showed elevated radiation-induced DNA damage after treatment, the yoga group exhibited slightly less DNA damage compared to the control group, suggesting that yoga may help mitigate some of the negative effects of radiotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of an integrated yoga program in modulating psychological stress and radiation-induced genotoxic stress in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Banerjee, B., Vadiraj, HS., Ram, A., et al.[2022]

A one-on-one yoga therapy session delivered via telehealth significantly reduced physical and global distress in cancer patients, with notable improvements in anxiety and fatigue, based on data from 95 patient encounters.

The study highlights the potential of yoga therapy as an effective complementary treatment in oncology, suggesting that even a single session can lead to meaningful symptom relief, warranting further research on long-term benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Yoga Therapy in Cancer Care via Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Mallaiah, S., Narayanan, S., Wagner, R., et al.[2022]

After educational interventions, interest in yoga among older veterans who are cancer survivors significantly increased from 5.5% to 31.8%, indicating that knowledge can enhance engagement with yoga as a therapeutic option.

Participation in a yoga program led to improved beliefs about its benefits and physical function, particularly for those who initially had higher expectations about yoga, suggesting that targeted interventions can effectively address barriers to access.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing Access to Yoga for Older Male Veterans After Cancer: Examining Beliefs About Yoga. Auguste, EJ., Weiskittle, RE., Sohl, SJ., et al.[2022]

A significant portion of young adults (43.9%) reported experiencing adverse childhood events, which were linked to higher stress levels, highlighting a critical public health concern.

Despite the challenges faced, 12.7% of the young adults practiced yoga for at least 30 minutes a week, with those exposed to adverse events practicing yoga at equal or greater rates than their peers, suggesting yoga could be a beneficial coping strategy for managing stress.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exposure to Adverse Events and Associations with Stress Levels and the Practice of Yoga: Survey Findings from a Population-Based Study of Diverse Emerging Young Adults. Neumark-Sztainer, D., Wall, MM., Choi, J., et al.[2020]

A significant 56% of cancer patients surveyed were unaware of the yoga program available at their cancer center, highlighting a gap in awareness despite its inclusion in treatment guidelines for symptom management.

Patients expressed a strong preference for receiving information about yoga through printed materials (87.6%) and email (80.4%), indicating that targeted educational outreach could enhance awareness and utilization of yoga as supportive care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Awareness of Yoga for Supportive Care in Cancer: Implications for Dissemination. Raghunathan, NJ., Korenstein, D., Li, QS., et al.[2020]

A systematic review of 94 randomized controlled trials involving 8,430 participants found that yoga is as safe as usual care and exercise, with no significant differences in serious adverse events or dropouts due to adverse events.

While yoga had a higher occurrence of nonserious adverse events compared to psychological or educational interventions, the overall safety profile suggests that it is a viable therapeutic option, highlighting the need for better reporting of safety data in future studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Safety of Yoga: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Cramer, H., Ward, L., Saper, R., et al.[2018]

The 8-week Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (YA-MBCT) program for young adults with cancer was found to be feasible and well-accepted, with 85% of participants attending at least six sessions and reporting high satisfaction rates.

Participants showed significant improvements in psychosocial outcomes, including reduced depression and anxiety, enhanced quality of life, and increased self-compassion, indicating that YA-MBCT could be an effective intervention for this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Intervention for Young Adults with Cancer: A Pilot Mixed-Method Study. Nissim, RS., Roth, A., Gupta, AA., et al.[2021]

In a study involving children aged 7-17 with cancer or blood disorders, a single bedside yoga class significantly reduced pain levels in children, as measured by the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale.

While children did not show a change in anxiety levels, both adolescents and their parents experienced a significant decrease in anxiety after the yoga intervention, indicating potential benefits for family members as well.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Yoga as a Complementary and Alternative Therapy in Children with Hematologic and Oncologic Disease. Fukuhara, JS., O'Haver, J., Proudfoot, JA., et al.[2021]

Yoga significantly reduces distress, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, indicating its potential as a supportive therapy during treatment.

While yoga shows moderate benefits for fatigue and emotional function, the evidence for its effects on overall psychological outcomes and functional well-being is limited, suggesting the need for further research with larger sample sizes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Utilizing Yoga in Oncologic Patients Treated with Radiotherapy: Review. Tolia, M., Tsoukalas, N., Nikolaou, M., et al.[2022]

A review of eight nonrandomized studies indicates that yoga is feasible and safe for children and adolescents with cancer, with retention rates around 70% and positive participant feedback.

Preliminary findings suggest that yoga may significantly improve health-related quality of life (HRQL) by reducing symptoms like anxiety and pain in pediatric oncology patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Yoga in the Pediatric Oncology Population: A Review of the Literature. Spector, D.[2021]

Therapeutic yoga has been shown to improve various aspects of quality of life for cancer patients, including better sleep, reduced anxiety and depression, and enhanced spiritual well-being, based on a review of multiple studies.

The absence of side effects and the positive feedback from participants suggest that yoga could be a beneficial complementary therapy for cancer patients, although the studies had methodological limitations that warrant further research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of yoga on patients with cancer: our current understanding. Côté, A., Daneault, S.[2022]

An 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program followed by eHealth support showed no significant differences in attrition or response rates among young adult cancer survivors, indicating that eHealth could be a feasible method for maintenance support.

However, participants who received instructor-framed messages experienced increased anxiety over time, suggesting that young adult cancer survivors may respond better to peer support rather than authority figures in eHealth interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consider the Source: Examining Attrition Rates, Response Rates, and Preliminary Effects of eHealth Mindfulness Messages and Delivery Framing in a Randomized Trial with Young Adult Cancer Survivors. Murphy, KM., Burns, J., Victorson, D.[2021]

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Yoga for Young Adults with Cancer

Research shows that yoga is generally safe for both adults and children, including those with cancer. Studies have found no serious adverse events related to ...