Structured yoga program as supportive care to enhance quality of life in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: a prospective matched controlled study
Clinical Snapshot
PICO Framework
| P — Population | Head and neck cancer patients undergoing definitive or adjuvant radiotherapy at a tertiary care centre in North East India (n=140) |
| I — Intervention | Structured yoga program including physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation (thrice-weekly sessions for two months) |
| C — Comparator | Standard care control group (matched controls, no yoga intervention) |
| O — Outcomes | Quality of life measured using EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire at baseline, end of treatment, and two months post-treatment |
Bottom Line
This prospective matched controlled study suggests yoga may improve quality of life in head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy, with statistically significant benefits in global health status, pain, emotional functioning, and fatigue. However, the evidence quality is limited by the non-randomized design, lack of blinding, inadequate confounder control, and absence of effect size reporting. While the intervention appears safe and biologically plausible, clinicians should interpret these results cautiously. The study provides preliminary evidence supporting yoga as adjunctive supportive care, but higher-quality randomized controlled trials are needed before making strong clinical recommendations. For Australian practice, yoga could be considered as part of comprehensive supportive care programs, particularly given its low risk profile and potential patient acceptability.
Key Findings
P Value: Global health status/QoL (p < 0.001), pain (p < 0.001), financial difficulties (p < 0.001), emotional functioning (p = 0.001), fatigue (p = 0.024)
Effect Size: Not reported - only p-values provided
Primary Outcome: Quality of life measured by EORTC QLQ-C30 global health status
Nnt Or Sensitivity: Not calculable from available data
Confidence Interval: Not reported
Clinical Application
Moderate - requires trained yoga instructors, appropriate facilities, and patient willingness to participate. Three sessions per week may be challenging during intensive radiotherapy Could be integrated into Australian cancer centres as supportive care. Not PBS-funded but may be covered by private health insurance. Aligns with Cancer Australia's supportive care guidelines and COSA position statements on integrative therapies Head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy who are physically able to participate in yoga and have access to qualified instructors
Abstract
PURPOSE: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiotherapy often experience significant deterioration in quality of life (QoL) due to physical and psychological challenges. This study evaluates the effect of a structured yoga program-including physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation-on QoL among these patients. METHODS: A prospective matched controlled nonrandomized study was conducted at a Tertiary Care Centre in North East India. Then, 140 patients undergoing definitive or adjuvant radiotherapy were equally divided into experimental (yoga intervention) and control groups. QoL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire at baseline, end of treatment, and two months posttreatment. The yoga intervention consisted of thrice-weekly sessions for two months. All primary statistical analysis was done using nonparametric methods. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvement was seen in the experimental group in global health status/QoL (p-value < 0.001), pain (< 0.001), financial difficulties (< 0.001), emotional functioning (0.001), and fatigue aspect (0.024). CONCLUSION: A structured yoga program significantly improved key QoL domains in head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. Yoga can be considered an effective supportive therapy in this population.
References
- 1.Kakati, K., Lahan, T., Barua, C., & Bhattacharyya, M. (2026). Structured yoga program as supportive care to enhance quality of life in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: a prospective matched controlled study. Supportive Care in Cancer. https://doi.org/10.4103/IJPC.IJPC_192_19
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