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Yoga and meditation for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors: a qualitative study exploring participants’ experiences
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Yoga and meditation for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors: a qualitative study exploring participants’ experiences

Mirela Bilc, Nina Pollmann, Analena Buchholz, Romy Lauche and Holger Cramer
Supportive care in cancer, Vol.32(7), 413
06/06/2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-024-08603-2
PMID: 38842686
Appears in  Recent National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine Publications
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Abstract

Breast cancer Yoga Meditation Menopausal symptoms Qualitative study
Purpose Breast cancer survivors commonly experience menopausal symptoms, specifically when undergoing antihormonal therapy. Unfortunately, they often have a restricted range of treatment options available to alleviate menopausal symptoms. The objective of this qualitative study was to explore breast cancer survivors’ experiences and effects of a yoga and meditation intervention supplementing previously reported RCT outcomes. Methods The qualitative data included in this study were part of a larger randomized controlled trial which evaluated the efficacy and safety of a 12-week yoga and meditation intervention on menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors. All participants who underwent the yoga intervention (n = 19) were invited to take part in semi-structured interviews after all quantitative data collection had been completed. Interviews (n = 9) were recorded, transcribed, and then coded into superordinate themes using thematic analysis. Results Nine female participants were interviewed, and the following themes emerged: (1) representations and expectations from the yoga intervention; (2) course structure and implementation; (3) perceptions and effects of the intervention (at emotional, physical, behavioral, and spiritual level); (4) differences between the study yoga intervention and other physical activities. Conclusions In accordance with the accounts of participants, yoga might offer a promising intervention for breast cancer survivors. All those interviewed either currently attended a yoga class or expressed a desire to continue practicing yoga. Additionally, our findings inform future studies regarding aspects such as the importance of extending outcome measures beyond specific cancer-related complains, the advantages of addressing homogenous groups (i.e., breast cancer specific), or considering that different intervention components might need different assistance to encourage long-term use.

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