Yoga Reduces Side Effects and Improves Quality of Life in Men Treated for Prostate Cancer

Research presented at the Society for Integrative Oncology's 12. International Conference suggests yoga may benefit prostate cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.

In this first study of its kind, among prostate cancer patients receiving radiotherapy, those participating in an intensive yoga program had better overall quality of life and fewer frequently experienced side effects, such as fatigue, impaired sexual life and urinary incontinence.

Cancer-related fatigue differs from the tiredness experienced in everyday life that resolves with rest or sleep. Fatigue caused by cancer or cancer treatment reduces a patient's quality of life even more than pain. Research shows this symptom occurs in %60 - %90 of patients receiving radiotherapy. Additionally, erectile problems are identified in %21-%85 of all prostate cancer patients, while %24 experience urinary incontinence.

Physiologically based research found yoga helps reduce cancer-related fatigue, strengthen pelvic floor muscles and increase blood flow. Results also suggest benefit for erectile dysfunction and incontinence. A fitness group incorporating meditation provides psychosocial benefits, supports general health and improves quality of life.

Other research has shown positive effects of yoga on the health and quality of life of cancer patients. However, studies of yoga's role in reducing side effects in prostate cancer patients are insufficient. The main reason is the perception that men would be reluctant to participate in such holistic (whole-person) exercise.

Statistics show %72 of yoga participants are women and only % 18 are older than 55. Average prostate cancer diagnosis is at 66. Despite these figures, yoga during 6-9 weeks of radiotherapy proved feasible at 2 sessions weekly.

Within this study, between May 2013 and June 2014, of 68 prostate cancer patients, 45 (%66) attended yoga classes 2 times a week for 75 minutes. Yoga is performed to combine ideas from movement theory and kinesiology (the science of muscles) and transmit them throughout the body. Most participants practicing yoga said they felt well at the end of each session and after completing the program. It was recorded that most patients subsequently wanted and requested routine yoga exercises to do at home.

Yoga's effects were measured through participants' answers to a series of questions assessing cancer-related fatigue, sexual life and erectile problems, urinary incontinence and overall quality of life. Fatigue symptoms varied during treatment, increasing as expected in week 4, but subsequently improved and remained at normal levels. Erectile problems, urinary incontinence and overall quality of life were recorded as stable.

Researchers are continuing their studies of yoga's potential benefits in prostate cancer patients. The full results of the feasibility study are expected to be published in early 2016.