cwes99_03 Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 Has anyone read the articles today about this? I'm looking for more info on the study that is being reported about. abc newsStudy: Yoga Helps Breast Cancer Patients HEALTHJune 6 - KGO - Women who are being treated for breast cancer may want to try yoga. A new study by researchers at the University of Texas shows breast cancer patients on radiation treatment who did yoga felt better psychologically. Experts say yoga incorporates meditation, relaxation, controlled breathing, and stretching. But the study also found no differences in the level of depression or anxiety of women with breast cancer.I'm thinking of all kinds of possible causes that these UTexas people didn't consider. The biggest question is "Were the participants in this study volunteers or were they forced against their will to participate in yoga as part of their therapy?" The psychological effects could be purely coincidental as those who are more likely to try the yoga probably would have had similar effects from any type of group meeting for exercise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celeste Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 For those like myself, that have or do practice Yoga, this discovery would make perfect sense. (I am also a breast cancer survivor)The differences in physiological and psychological differences between Yoga and say a half hour of racket ball, are not subtle.I would highly doubt that patients were "forced" into anything, considering the fact that the treatments for cancer would leave the majority feeling less then cable of participation. Yoga isn't a simple practice of exercise to master. The room temp is usually kept around 110 F* and requires an deep level of dedication. However, the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Physiological Benefits of Yoga Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium Pulse rate decreases Respiratory rate decreases Blood Pressure decreases (of special significance for hyporeactors) Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) increases EEG - alpha waves increase (theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various stages of meditation) EMG activity decreases Cardiovascular efficiency increases Respiratory efficiency increases Gastrointestinal function normalizes Endocrine function normalizes Excretory functions improve Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase Breath-holding time increases Joint range of motion increase Grip strength increases Eye-hand coordination improves Dexterity skills improve Reaction time improves Posture improves Strength and resiliency increase Endurance increases Energy level increases Weight normalizes Sleep improves Immunity increases Pain decreases Steadiness improves Depth perception improves Balance improves Integrated functioning of body parts improves Psychological Benefits of Yoga Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase Mood improves and subjective well-being increases Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase Social adjustment increases Anxiety and Depression decrease Hostility decreases Concentration improves Memory improves Attention improves Learning efficiency improves Mood improves Self-actualization increase Social skills increases Well-being increases Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase Self-acceptance increase Attention improves Concentration improves Memory improves Learning efficiency improves Symbol coding improves Depth perception improves Flicker fusion frequency improves Yoga Benefits versus Exercise Benefits Parasympathetic Nervous System dominates Subcortical regions of brain dominate Slow dynamic and static movements Normalization of muscle tone Low risk of injuring muscles and ligaments Low caloric consumption Effort is minimized, relaxed Energizing (breathing is natural or controlled) Balanced activity of opposing muscle groups Noncompetitive, process-oriented Awareness is internal (focus is on breath and the infinite) Limitless possibilities for growth in self-awareness Yoga is amazing IMHO. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwes99_03 Posted June 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 OK, humble opinions aside, do you see the doubt that I raise in this study without having seen it. I'm not starting a thread on yoga here, i'm trying to raise questions about a study that all the news organizations are raving about. Anybody know the source of the study? Yoga as far as I know doesn't require 110F temperatures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celeste Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 My apologies. Perhaps this will help.http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/112222253/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16374892&dopt=Abstract My apologies again. I should have clarified: High tempertures (105 to 110F) are not for everyone and are only part of Yoga training. One of the main purposes of yoga practice is to learn how to overcome the resistance of the nervous system and relax muscles using awareness. infamous 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwes99_03 Posted June 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 Yes, if this is the correct study, that second link was helpful. I want to reread it a couple of times to make sure that I catch it all, but I have some preliminary results. Most of what I have gotten out of this is that it was a preliminary 7-week study of two groups of cancer survivors who had been diagnosed over 4 years earlier on average.1) the measureable differences between the intervention group (those who were given instruction in yoga) and the control group (those who were not) were psychosocial in nature. Of course past studies have shown that any physical exercise is beneficial psychologically for most people.2) There were only 38 participants in the 7-week study 20 in the intervention group and 18 in the control group. While the results do show some correlation, a larger study is required to further investigate. This much is stipulated in the reading. Celeste, I couldn't get to the first website you linked. Could you copy and paste the important information for me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celeste Posted June 8, 2006 Report Share Posted June 8, 2006 Cwes....the material is copyrighted. Here is the main page link. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/homeOn the left side is a search engine. Type in Yoga and breast cancer; it is the first abstract Titled: A pilot study of yoga for breast cancer survivors: physical and psychological benefits. This site has many hard to find abstracts concerning everything from biology to social sciences. You might also find it useful in the future. ;) Celeste Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EWright Posted June 10, 2006 Report Share Posted June 10, 2006 cw, I was studying to become a radiation therapist at one point. The women participating in the study would certainly not have been forced. Docotors cannot even force an adult patient to undergo radition treatments or chemo, let alone a study on the affects of yoga. As for the effects, it is likely that many types of relaxation (medetation, music therapy, massage) and or moderate exercise (stretching, tai chi, pool therapy), could enduce similar improved sense of well being. Yoga may have some results unique to it, but I don't believe the overall results are unique to yoga. Having cancer and undergoing chemo or radiation therapy is both difficult both physically and psychologically. Therefore, any form of relaxation or exercise that helps to 'motivate' the patient emotionally or physically without being strenuous should help to bring back a better sense of normalcy and well-being IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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