A study has found that asanas help in alleviating the shock and trauma of therapy.
In the absence of effective counselling for those suffering from diseases like cancer, Aids and tuberculosis, researchers have now come out with a proven alternative way to tackle the shock from diagnosis and trauma of toxic treatment.
The researchers, from Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA) and Bangalore Institute of Oncology (BIO), tested yoga relaxation techniques on those suffering from breast cancer in second and third stage and found that the exercises were not only successful in fighting the side effects of the ailment, but also helped maintain immunity levels to fight the disease.
“When a person is diagnosed with cancer, he or she goes into a denial mode and seeks diagnosis from other pathologists. Once it is confirmed, the patient slips into depression opening up a host of new problems besides aggravating the disease itself,” said Dr Raghavendra Rao, the main author of the study from BIO.
The researchers studied whether relaxation techniques that calm the mind helped the cancer patients suffering from psychological distress. Eighty-eight women diagnosed with stage II and III breast cancer were recruited over a two-and-a-half year period at two comprehensive cancer care centres in Bangalore and Mysore.
Interventions were conducted over a six-week period when both the groups were receiving radiotherapy. While one group received an integrated yoga programme and the other was provided brief supportive therapy that included counselling in individual sessions.
The yoga intervention in the BIO study consisted of a set of asanas, breathing exercises, pranayama, meditation, and yogic relaxation techniques. The results of the study suggested significant decreases in self-reported anxiety, depression, and perceived stress in the yoga group when compared with counselled group. The change was indicated by decreased secretion of cortisol hormone that causes stress in a human being. Though counselling decreased stress, the yoga techniques had more profound impact.
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