Yoga for patients and carers in a palliative day care setting
Preliminary EvidenceIn Plain Language: cancer pain, explained
This study suggests that yoga can be of benefit to patients (and carers) in palliative care settings. Complementary therapies have been employed in our day care unit for several years--aromatherapy, reflexology and massage--and have grown in popularity, enabling relaxation and a feeling of well-being. For patients striving to remain physically fit and, in consultation with our physiotherapist, we felt there may be a role for a gentle form of yoga. A study of the literature yielded information on yoga and cancer but little evidence of its use in palliative care. Having identified a form of yoga that could be adapted for those with physical frailties-- Dru yoga--a 12-week pilot project was introduced into the day care unit. This proved to be highly successful and has now been incorporated as part of our therapeutic service.
Key Findings: what this pilot study found about cancer pain
- ✓Gentle yoga (Dru yoga) adapted for physically frail patients proved highly successful in a 12-week pilot project in a palliative day care setting.
- ✓Yoga can benefit both patients and their carers in palliative care by enabling relaxation and a feeling of well-being.
- ✓Yoga has been incorporated as part of the therapeutic service following the successful pilot, joining other complementary therapies like aromatherapy, reflexology, and massage.
What This Means for You
While this pilot study suggests yoga may help with relaxation and well-being in palliative care, the evidence is preliminary and more rigorous research is needed before drawing firm conclusions about its benefits.
What This Means for Practitioners
Consider collaborating with other complementary therapists in palliative care settings, as integrated approaches combining reflexology, massage, aromatherapy, and yoga appear to enhance overall therapeutic outcomes.
Cancer pain: common questions
What does this study say about cancer pain?
While this pilot study suggests yoga may help with relaxation and well-being in palliative care, the evidence is preliminary and more rigorous research is needed before drawing firm conclusions about its benefits.
What did this study find?
Gentle yoga (Dru yoga) adapted for physically frail patients proved highly successful in a 12-week pilot project in a palliative day care setting. Yoga can benefit both patients and their carers in palliative care by enabling relaxation and a feeling of well-being. Yoga has been incorporated as part of the therapeutic service following the successful pilot, joining other complementary therapies like aromatherapy, reflexology, and massage.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a pilot study and we rate its evidence preliminary. It was published in International journal of palliative nursing, a Q1 journal. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.
Related Research
Complementary therapy in practice
Engaging Patients in Research That Involves Meditation: Religious Concerns and Nursing Implications
Improving Quality of Life in The Constipated Older Person: Reflexology or Abdominal Massage? A Two-Group, Randomized Comparative Trial
Mind-Body Interventions for People With Cancer: Evidence, Innovation, and Implementation
Therapeutic Massage for Cancer Survivors: An Umbrella Review
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