Peppone said a high percentage of breast cancer survivors discontinue aromatase inhibitor therapy because of side effects, putting them at greater risk for cancer recurrence. His study measured the self-reported quality of life and physical discomfort among 95 women taking aromatase inhibitors and 72 women who were not taking the drug.
Each group took part in a four-week gentle yoga program. The women taking aromatase inhibitors reported a significant reduction in pain, muscle aches, and total physical discomfort, Peppone said. The study will serve as a pilot to launch a larger study of exercise to relieve musculoskeletal pain.
His research, as well as Sprod's study, also was selected for presentation at the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer meeting in June in New York.
Finally, a controlled study of yoga therapy in middle-aged, mostly female cancer survivors showed that a four-week, customized gentle yoga plan significantly reduced perceived difficulty with memory. Michelle C. Janelsins, Ph.D., research assistant professor at Wilmot, randomized patients to one of two groups: standard follow-up care after receiving adjuvant cancer treatment, and standard care plus a program that consisted of breathing exercises, gentle Hatha and Restorative yoga postures, and meditation.
The yoga group had significantly reduced memory difficulty compared to the standard care control group.
Improved memory also partially contributed to improved fatigue and improved quality of life, Janelsins noted.
In some ways, Mustian said, the exercise-and-cancer dilemma hark
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| Contact: Leslie Orr Leslie_Orr@urmc.rochester.edu University of Rochester Medical Center Source:Eurekalert |