Yoga aids sleep in cancer patients

Yoga appears to help cancer patients sleep better while undergoing treatment. Yoga is an ancient Eastern form of exercise that involves regulated breathing, meditation and practicing certain postures. Over the years, studies have linked yoga to a number of health benefits, including stress reduction, lowering blood pressure, beating fatigue and easing chronic pain. Living with cancer can be a stressful experience, as patients cope with a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness and the side effects of treatment. That stress can often interfere with patients' sleep habits.In the current study, Researchers from the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, USA, studied 39 patients who were made to practice a form of yoga from Tibet, which relies on gentle movements and is known for its meditative techniques. They asked half of the patients to participate in seven weekly sessions of Tibetan yoga. After 3 months, the other subjects were invited to participate in the yoga sessions. After the sessions, the researchers compared the sleeping habits of those who did and did not try yoga. It was found that lymphoma patients reported sleeping much better after only a few sessions of yoga. Although the difference may stem from yoga's effect on stress, the researchers noted that patients who tried yoga were no less likely to show signs of anxiety, depression or fatigue. The researchers noted that some studies have suggested that up to three quarters of cancer patients struggle with sleep. This may have important health consequences as sleep disturbances have been linked with problems with the immune system, and an increased risk of illness or death. They added that non-Tibetan forms of yoga will likely help cancer patients, as well.

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