New Delhi:
Yoga is an ancient Indian science and has evolved over thousands of years. It deals with the physical, mental, moral, and spiritual well-being of an individual. Though it is not scientifically proven but it has been observed that, when practiced daily, Yoga and meditation significantly helps in reducing stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite and fatigue in some cancer patients and in addition yoga also enhances quality of life, immune status and will to fight among patients as well, said Dr. Harsha Agarwal, Head Psycho Oncology, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC).
Yoga helps in patients with cancer to cope up with symptoms and side effects induced due to treatment they are receiving. Relaxation can be attained through yoga by using different breathing exercises, different body postures, and relaxation techniques. Pranayam helps in regulating breathing pattern, asana improves strength and flexibility. Deep relaxation is earned with regular meditation practices. These yoga interventions helps by increasing perceived control, decreasing the potential stigma associated with cancer and having a “psychiatric problem,” and provide a supportive environment where patients can fight with their fears and concerns.
Stress management techniques that have been proven helpful include progressive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, guided imagery, and social support. Yoga is especially attractive as it combines many of these techniques with simple stretching exercises, breathing, and relaxation techniques that could be useful for patients with cancer.
Patients with cancer have revealed that yoga helped them in calming their mind to cope better with their cancer and its treatment. Few other revealed, it helped in reducing symptoms and side effects such as pain, tiredness, sleep problems and depression.
The effects of yoga intervention have been moderate to large in various settings. Cooling Pranayama such as Sheetali, Sheetakari, and Sadanta have been useful in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) along with Pavanamuktasana (supine knee-chest) and Uttana padasana (straight leg raise). Loosening exercises, gentle stretches, Yogasanas (stretching postures), Sudarshan kriya, and relaxation techniques have been shown to be effective in managing fatigue, pain, and sleep problems. Techniques that use postures in variable intervals with relaxation techniques (cyclic meditation/movement meditation) have been found to be useful in reducing stress and improving sleep.
