Sleep disruption is one of the most common and debilitating side effects of chemotherapy. A 2014 study examined whether yoga could help. Women undergoing chemotherapy who participated in a yoga program reported significantly better sleep quality compared to those receiving standard care alone.
The yoga practiced was gentle and adapted for the participants’ condition. It included breathing exercises, light movement, and restorative poses. The improvements in sleep were accompanied by reductions in fatigue and improvements in overall quality of life measures.
This study matters because it demonstrates yoga’s utility in a medical context where options for symptom management are limited. Sleep medications carry their own side effects and risks, especially for patients already on complex drug regimens. A non-pharmacological intervention that improves sleep during cancer treatment addresses a real and significant clinical need.
Source: Yoga Research: Immunity & General Health on ashtanga.tech. Original research.