Effects of vigorous versus restorative yoga practice on objective cognition functions in sedentary breast and ovarian cancer survivors: A randomized controlled pilot trial Journal Article


Authors: Deng, G.; Bao, T.; Ryan, E. L.; Benusis, L.; Hogan, P.; Li, Q. S.; Dries, A.; Konner, J.; Ahles, T. A.; Mao, J. J.
Article Title: Effects of vigorous versus restorative yoga practice on objective cognition functions in sedentary breast and ovarian cancer survivors: A randomized controlled pilot trial
Abstract: PURPOSE: Many cancer survivors experience cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). We conducted a randomized controlled pilot trial of 2 types of yoga practice and evaluated their effects on participants' objective cognitive function. METHODS: Sedentary breast or ovarian cancer survivors were randomized to practice either restorative yoga (with more meditative practice and minimal physical exertion) or vigorous yoga (with considerable physical exertion and minimal meditative practice) in 60-minute supervised sessions 3 times a week for 12 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of home practice. We used the NIH Toolbox Cognition Domain to evaluate participants at baseline, week 12, and week 24. RESULTS: We enrolled 35 participants. For women in the restorative yoga group, overall cognitive function was statistically significantly improved at weeks 12 and 24 compared to baseline (P = .03 and 0.004; Cohen's D = 0.3 and 0.5). Fluid cognitive function also significantly improved at weeks 12 and 24 (P = .02 and 0.0007; Cohen's D = 0.3 and 0.6), whereas improvements in crystallized cognition were not significant. For women in the vigorous yoga group, significant improvement was only seen in tasks of crystallized cognition at week 24 (P = .03; Cohen's D = 0.5). Between-group comparisons showed that at week 24, women in the restorative yoga group had significantly higher scores on fluid cognition tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who participated in yoga practice demonstrated improvement in objective cognitive function over time. Restorative yoga may be more effective in improving fluid cognitive function at week 24 when compared to vigorous yoga. These promising findings should be confirmed in definitive studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov; NCT02305498 (Date Registered: December 2, 2014).
Keywords: controlled study; ovarian cancer; ovarian neoplasms; quality of life; breast cancer; randomized controlled trial; psychology; cancer survivor; pilot study; pilot projects; ovary tumor; cognition; yoga; cancer survivors; humans; human; female; cancer-related cognitive impairment; crci
Journal Title: Integrative Cancer Therapies
Volume: 21
ISSN: 1534-7354
Publisher: Sage Publications  
Date Published: 2022-01-01
Start Page: 15347354221089221
Language: English
DOI: 10.1177/15347354221089221
PUBMED: 35861215
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC9403449
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 August 2022 -- Source: Scopus
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Citation Impact
MSK Authors
  1. Tim A Ahles
    170 Ahles
  2. Elizabeth Ryan
    19 Ryan
  3. Jason Konner
    147 Konner
  4. Gary E Deng
    75 Deng
  5. Ting   Bao
    75 Bao
  6. Jun J Mao
    200 Mao
  7. Qing Susan Li
    71 Li
  8. Pasha B Hogan
    1 Hogan