Does Yoga Therapy Improve Range of Motion in Shoulders of Women Recovering from Breast Cancer Surgery? A Randomised Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Upper limb impairment is common among women receiving breast cancer treatment. Although yoga is popular and accessible in cancer support communities, its impact on upper limb function in these women is not well understood. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of yoga on shoulder range of motion in women recovering from breast cancer surgery. Eligible participants were Chinese women with early-stage breast cancer who had recently completed surgery and adjuvant treatment. Following the baseline assessment, they were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to a 12-week yoga intervention, a 12-week relaxation intervention (active control), or a postoperative exercise DVD (passive control). Primary outcomes measured shoulder rotation flexibility and range of motion. Secondary outcomes included health-related quality of life, fatigue, pain, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression. All outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention.

RESULTS

Out of 760 potential participants, 444 were enrolled and randomly assigned to yoga intervention (n = 148), active control (n = 148), or passive control (n = 148). Linear Mixed Modelling indicated that, compared to the Passive control group, the Yoga group showed significant improvement in shoulder rotation flexibility scores (p = 0.004) and right hand up back scratch test scores (p = 0.013) at all time points. There was no significant difference in the back scratch test scores for the left hand up between groups. Secondary outcomes did not significantly differ among the study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Study findings suggest that yoga intervention can improve upper-extremity mobility in women with breast cancer.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: HKU Clinical Trials Registry, HKUCTR-1600. Registered 25 May 2013, https://www.hkuctr.com/Study/Show/36d8e3e8d051473b9c2e69bc8ee35dd1 .