A pilot randomized controlled trial of a yoga program for alleviating cancer-related fatigue and psychological distress in women with gynecological cancer

Purpose: Yoga can alleviate cancer-related fatigue and psychological distress while improving health-related quality of life. However, most studies focused on breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a yoga program for women with gynecological cancer and estimate its preliminary effects on cancer-related fatigue, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life.

Methods: This pilot study used a single-blinded randomized controlled trial design. Participants in the intervention group received the yoga program and usual care, while the control group only received usual care. Feasibility was assessed using eligibility, consent, attrition, and adherence rates. Acceptability was measured using a satisfaction questionnaire. Preliminary effects were evaluated on cancer-related fatigue, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life outcomes.

Results: The yoga program demonstrated feasibility, with satisfactory rates of eligibility (62.7%), consent (64.9%), attrition (4.2%), and adherence (75%). The participants reported high satisfaction with the program. Significant intervention effects were observed on the behavioral/severity dimension of cancer-related fatigue (Hedges's g = 0.86). The intervention group demonstrated greater reductions in overall and other cancer-related fatigue subscales than the control group. Greater improvements in distress, anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life were noted in the intervention group than in the control group, with effect sizes of 0.29, 0.77, 0.21, and 0.12, respectively.

Conclusions: The yoga program is feasible and acceptable, showing a trend in reducing cancer-related fatigue and psychological distress and improving health-related quality of life in women with gynecological cancer. A full-scale randomized controlled trial is warranted.