Yoga

• No evidence of an effectoverall, one or more studies did not demonstrate that a treatment or intervention led to an expected outcome; this does not always mean that there is no effect in clinical practice, but that the studies may have been underpowered (too few participants) or poorly designed. Larger, well-designed studies provide more confidence in making assessments. on a measure of cell health among people with breast cancer practicing Hatha yoga

See How can yoga help you? What the research says ›

What is your body terrain? ›

Good evidence of benefit

• Good evidencesignificant effects in one large or several mid-sized and well-designed clinical studies (randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with an appropriate placebo or other strong comparison control or observational studies that control for confounds) (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of better body weight and body fat among people practicing yoga

Modest evidence of benefit

• Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of better markers of blood sugar and insulin balance, mostly among people with prediabetes, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome
• Modest evidence of better cortisol levels among healthy adults or people with conditions other than cancer practicing yoga
• Modest evidence of lower inflammation among people with cancer practicing yoga
• Modest evidence of lower markers of oxidation among healthy people or  people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or metabolic syndrome participating in yoga

Preliminary evidence of benefit

• Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of slightly less DNA damage during radiotherapy among people with breast cancer participating in yoga
• Preliminary evidence of better cortisol levels among people with breast cancer participating in yoga
• Preliminary evidence of better levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, adrenalin, or serotonin among people practicing yoga
• Preliminary evidence of lower cortisol levels among people participating in laughter yoga
• Preliminary evidence of higher markers of immune activation among people with cancer or healthy adults practicing yoga

See How can yoga help you? What the research says ›

Good evidence of benefit

• Good evidencesignificant effects in one large or several mid-sized and well-designed clinical studies (randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with an appropriate placebo or other strong comparison control or observational studies that control for confounds) (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of less anxiety, usually only for a short time after practice, among people with cancer practicing yoga
• Good evidence of less depression among people with cancer practicing yoga
• Good evidence of less cancer-related fatigue among people practicing yoga
• Good evidence of better quality of life among people with cancer practicing yoga
• Good evidence of less sleep disruption among people with cancer practicing yoga
• Good evidence of less psychological stress or distress among people with cancer practicing yoga

Modest evidence of benefit

• Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of fewer cognitive difficulties among people with cancer practicing yoga
• Modest evidence of fewer treatment-related gastrointestinal symptoms among people practicing yoga
• Modest evidence of less pain among people with cancer practicing yoga

Preliminary evidence of benefit

• Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of better quality of life scores among women with breast cancer-related lymphedema practicing yoga
• Preliminary evidence of higher quality of life during radiotherapy among people with cancer practicing yoga
• Preliminary evidence of better general health, quality of life, role functioning and social functioning after breast cancer surgery among women practicing yoga
• Preliminary evidence of better range of motion, reach, strength, or arm symptoms—including after surgery or among people with peripheral neuropathy—among people with cancer practicing yoga
• Preliminary evidence of a higher rate of return to work 6 months after starting chemotherapy among people with breast cancer practicing yoga
• Preliminary evidence of better sexual health scores during external beam radiation therapy among people with prostate cancer practicing yoga
• Preliminary evidence of less stress before chemotherapy among people with cancer participating in laughter yoga
• Preliminary evidence of changes in meridian energy—the qi energy that travels along the meridian pathways in the body—among people with breast cancer participating in yoga

See How can yoga help you? What the research says ›

We did not find any published evidence that yoga has an effect on reducing cancer risk.

• Recommended in integrative cancer clinical practice guidelines
• Widely used by integrative practitioners

See How do experts use yoga? ›

• Generally safe, although injury possible; caution and supervision are needed for people with specific conditions, such as recent surgery or with or at increased risk of bone loss, lymphedema, or neuropathy

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• Widely available without restriction and generally inexpensive (less than $500 US/year), with total costs depending on frequency of practice led by a professional

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