Galantino, M.L., Desai, K., Greene, L., Demichele, A., Stricker, C.T., & Mao, J.J. (2012). Impact of yoga on functional outcomes in breast cancer survivors with aromatase inhibitor–associated arthralgias. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 11, 313–320.

To establish feasibility of studying the effects of yoga on function, pain, and quality of life in women with aromatase inhibitor–associated arthralgias

Women who had joint pain attributed to aromatase inhibitor treatment were studied. Patients met two times per week for eight weeks for yoga sessions taught by certified instructors. The protocol used was inspired by Iyengar yoga involving precise postures, and meditation using relaxation and combinations of static and active stretching and isometric and dyunamic strengthening. Sessions were done among groups of 5–10 women, and an abbreviated version was given for home practice during week 2. Patients were asked to perform home practice for 15 minutes three times per week on days when sessions did not take place. Study assessments were done at baseline and at the end of the program.

• The study reported on 10 female patients.
• Median patient age was 58 years, with a range of 50–71 years.
• All patients had breast cancer and joint pain,  were post-menopausal, and in active treatment with aromostase inhibitors.
• Of the sample, 90% were Caucasian, 40% were employed, and 60% had at least college-level education.

• Multisite
• Outpatient setting
• New Jersey

Patients were undergoing active antitumor treatment.

This was a quasi-experimental feasibility study.

• Functional reach and sit and reach testing
• Self-reported Patient Specific Functional Scale
• Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Breast (FACT-B)
• Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)

Of the sample, 80% reported adherence to home practice as recommended. Participants had significant improvement in functional reach (p = 0.048) and sit and reach (p = 0.009). Participants experienced significant reduction in pain severity (3.9–2.79, p = 0.016).

The yoga protocol used here was associated with improvement in flexibility and pain associated with aromatase inhibitor–induced arthralgia.

• The study had a small sample, with less than 30 participants.
• The study had risk of bias due to no control group, no blinding, and no random assignment, and due to sample characteristics.
• Findings are not generalizable.
• Effects were related to arthralgia-related function and pain only.

There is limited evidence regarding interventions to reduce arthralgia pain in patients undergoing cancer treatment. This study shows that a yoga intervention is feasible and may provide some promising results. Further research in this area is warranted.