Prostate Cancer Therapy: Yoga Alleviates Side Effects

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Erectile problems, incontinence and persistent fatigue - these are just a few of the side effects to be expected when treating prostate cancer. But undesirable effects of radiation therapy can be mitigated - with yoga exercises.

Yoga is generally regarded by men as a gymnastics exercise with a Far Eastern touch for women. Yoga is very complex and demanding for different muscle groups. In addition, it also has an effect on the mental state. Again and again, even if only small-scale studies so far, emphasize the value for health, for example to alleviate osteoarthritis.

Yoga appointment after radiation

Because yoga is mainly practiced by women, women have also been the focus of relevant research so far. Dr. Neha Vapiwala of Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania and her colleagues wanted to change that. They set up a study that focused on the wellbeing of prostate cancer patients. They recently presented the results at a conference.

To do this, they recruited 68 men with the appropriate diagnosis who were irradiated for six to nine weeks against their condition. 45 of them agreed to practice yoga under guidance twice a week during the same period - each for 75 minutes. By the end of the treatment, 27 test persons held out the exercises. During the therapy, the men used questionnaires to provide information about their well-being, but also about physical complaints.

Increased quality of life

Most of the subjects reported that they felt extremely good after the yoga classes. Many were so convinced of the units that they had a program put together for them at home after completing their studies. There was also good news with regard to physical impairments such as erectile dysfunction, persistent fatigue or incontinence: "Normally, such complaints increase during the course of radiation, but our data show that they remained the same for yoga practitioners over the period," explains Vapiwala to As a result, the men were able to continue their professional and social life in a largely normal way alongside therapy.

Better blood circulation, trained pelvic floor

The researchers also have an explanation ready: During the yoga exercises, the pelvic floor is strengthened and, in general, the blood circulation in the body is promoted. Both factors that help counteract potency problems and uncontrolled urine loss. "It is also conceivable that the additional participation in a group activity that contains meditation and promotes health awareness has a positive effect on the mental well-being of the participants," said the scientists. All together then promote the general quality of life of the patients who use yoga to support the therapy.

The evaluation of the data is not yet fully completed, in particular the comparison of the data with the comparison group of those who had not practiced yoga is still pending. Nevertheless, the researchers are already convinced of the positive effects of yoga on prostate cancer patients. "We are always looking for ways to give our patients a better quality of life" - and yoga is one of them, says Vapiwala.

Source: University of Pennsylvania press release: Yoga Helps Maintain Quality of Life, May Lessen Side Effects in Men Undergoing Prostate Cancer Treatment; (Accessed on November 25, 2015)

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