Yoga – Best for Physique of Elder Patients

It has come to the knowledge, according to the researchers of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, that elderly women who do take yoga classes, especially during the radiation treatment for breast cancer, are found to function physically in a better manner. This also renders them with better feeling of their overall health, as has been learnt from the study. The detailed report of the study involving 61 breast cancer patients was presented at the annual scientific meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, in the recent days.

In the very study, the patients who were there affected with Stage 0 to Stage 3 breast cancer were seen to be randomized to partake in the yoga classes twice weekly at, or around, the specific time of their radiation appointments. Well, not only at this time, but also when the control group, was destined to be offered yoga post-treatment. The program from its very beginning was meant for the breast cancer patients, and was engaged in the process of emphasizing breathing and relaxation, and also at the same time excluding some positions that might be difficult given the patients' possible weakened range of motion.

Speaking on this Lorenzo Cohen, Director of the Integrative Medicine Program at M. D. Anderson said, "The main objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of integrating a daily yoga program into the treatment care plan for women with breast cancer undergoing radiation treatment, and determine if this is something the patients found useful and enjoyable, as well as assessing aspects of their quality of life."