Yoga against cancer: How young adults find strength through virtual classes

Yoga against cancer: How young adults find strength through virtual classes

Cancer is a disease that brings not only physical, but also psychological and emotional challenges. Treatments often focus on the medical side, but the importance of mental and physical well-being cannot be underestimated. A recent study examined the effects of yoga on young adults (18-39 years old) affected by cancer. Participants participated in an 8-week yoga program delivered via videoconference.

The results of this study suggest that yoga provided certain benefits for participants. These benefits included improvements in mental and physical health, increased awareness of self-care and self-compassion, increased mindfulness, a sense of physical ability, establishment of a routine, and the opportunity to connect with like-minded people in a safe (virtual) space. These aspects may have contributed to reducing the negative effects associated with cancer and its treatment and improving the quality of life of those affected.

If these results are confirmed in further studies, it could lead to a change in recommended supportive treatments for young adults affected by cancer. Yoga could be offered as a form of support that offers both physical and psychological benefits and helps to better cope with the challenges of cancer.

Basic terms and concepts

• Yoga: Eine altindische körperliche, geistige und spirituelle Praxis, die Übungen (Asanas), Atemtechniken (Pranayama) und Meditation umfasst, um die Gesundheit und Entspannung zu fördern.
• Mindfulness (Achtsamkeit): Eine Geisteshaltung, die durch bewusstes Wahrnehmen der gegenwärtigen Momente in einer nicht wertenden Weise charakterisiert ist.
• Video-Konferenz: Eine Online-Technologie, die es Menschen ermöglicht, sich visuell und auditiv über das Internet zu treffen und zu kommunizieren, auch über große Entfernungen hinweg.
• Reflexive thematische Analyse: Eine Methode zur Analyse von qualitativen Daten, bei der Muster (Themen) innerhalb der Daten identifiziert, analysiert und berichtet werden.
• Selbstfürsorge: Aktivitäten und Praktiken, die individuell unternommen werden, um die eigene Gesundheit, das Wohlbefinden, die Lebensqualität und die Effektivität zu verbessern.
• Selbstmitgefühl: Die Fähigkeit, sich selbst gegenüber freundlich und verständnisvoll zu sein, besonders in Zeiten des Scheiterns oder wenn man Fehler macht.

As research continues to demonstrate the positive aspects of supportive therapies such as yoga, it is conceivable that these practices will play a more central role in the treatment and support of cancer patients, particularly among young adults. Such approaches could usefully complement traditional cancer therapy and offer a more holistic approach to the well-being of those affected.

Yoga as a supportive intervention for young adults with cancer

Introduction:Yoga is often viewed as a method to improve quality of life and reduce negative effects caused by cancer and its treatments. Despite the known benefits of yoga for people with cancer, there is a lack of evidence specifically for young adults ages 18 to 39.

Aim of the study:The present research focused on examining the experiences of young adults with cancer who participated in an 8-week yoga program delivered via videoconference.

Methodology:Participants in this study were young adults living in Canada, aged 18 to 39, and who had been diagnosed with cancer at some point. They had all completed an 8-week yoga intervention program. To collect data, semi-structured interviews were conducted, which were transcribed verbatim and evaluated using reflective thematic analysis.

Results:

• 28 junge Erwachsene (Durchschnittsalter = 34.67 ± 5.11 Jahre;  25 weiblich) mit verschiedenen Krebsdiagnosen nahmen teil.
• Die Analyse der Interviews ergab sechs Hauptthemen: (1) Herausforderungen und Veränderungen während der Yoga-Intervention; (2) Verbesserungen im mentalen und physischen Gesundheitszustand; (3) Entwicklung neuer Selbstfürsorgestrategien; (4) Erkenntnisse über die körperlichen Fähigkeiten; (5) der Nutzen einer gefühlten Verbindlichkeit durch das Programm; (6) die Möglichkeit, in einem sicheren (virtuellen) Raum Gleichgesinnte zu treffen.

Conclusion:The study results suggest that yoga-based interventions may provide specific benefits for young adults with cancer. Aspects such as self-care, self-compassion, mindfulness, experiencing physical literacy, establishing a routine and being with like-minded people in a safe virtual space were highlighted as important parts of the program. These components may have contributed significantly to the benefits experienced. The findings highlight the potential benefits of yoga as a supportive care intervention for young adults affected by cancer.

For detailed analysis and more information, please visit the original research: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38289977.