Yoga Breathing for Fatigue in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Fatigue is the most common complaint among cancer patients. This pilot study will evaluate the effects of pranayama (ancient yoga breathing techniques) on fatigue and quality of life among 30 patients undergoing chemotherapy, on an every 2, 3, or 4 week schedule, with a fatigue score of at least 4 on a scale of 0 (none) to 10 (most). Patients will be randomized to either pranayama or wait-list control. The pranayama group will learn and practice 3 breathing techniques on a daily basis. The study period will occur during 2 consecutive cycles of chemotherapy (cycle A and Cycle B), and the wait-list control patients will crossover to the treatment arm at the beginning of his/her Cycle B. Fatigue will be measured using the revised Piper Fatigue Scale along with quality of life measures. These study measures will be conducted at baseline, at the end of cycle A, and at the end of cycle B. We hypothesize that pranayama will improve clinical symptoms of fatigue and quality of life among patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Inclusion criteria

• A diagnosis of cancer that requires at least 2 further cycles of chemotherapy on an every 14, 21, or 28 day schedule
• A score of at least 4/10 on a 0-10 (0-none, 10-most) visual analog scale for fatigue at the time of enrollment
• Able to read, write and understand English
• Karnofsky Performance Status greater than 60
• Ability to give informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Severe COPD
• Receiving chronic oxygen therapy
• Congestive heart failure: NYHA class 3 or greater
• Transfusion dependent anemia
• Uncontrolled thyroid disease
• Advance kidney disease requiring dialysis
• Advance liver disease
• More than three previous chemotherapy regimens
• Current, ongoing yoga breathing practice