Hatha Yoga in Improving Physical Activity, Inflammation, Fatigue, and Distress in Breast Cancer Survivors

RATIONALE: Yoga may improve inflammation, fatigue, and depression in female breast cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying how well Hatha yoga works in improving physical activity, inflammation, fatigue, and distress in female breast cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

* To determine if the yoga intervention will decrease inflammation, fatigue, and depressive symptoms relative to the waiting-list controls in women who are stage 0-IIIa breast cancer survivors.

OUTLINE: Patients are stratified according to stage of cancer (stage 0 vs stage I vs stage II and stage IIIA) and prior radiation therapy (yes vs no). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 intervention arms.

* Arm I (waiting-list control): Patients are encouraged to perform usual activities, but asked to refrain from any yoga practice or other related activities. After a six-month observation period, patients undergo yoga intervention as described in arm II .
* Arm II (yoga intervention): Patients participate in a Hatha yoga intervention session comprising body postures and breath control techniques for 1.5 hours twice a week for 12 weeks. Patients are encouraged to practice Hatha yoga at home. Patients complete daily diaries on home Hatha yoga practices and submit them at each session.

Eligibility Criteria:
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Stage 0-IIIA breast cancer survivor
* Completed cancer treatment within the past 36 months (except for tamoxifen/aromatase inhibitors)

  * At least 2 months since prior surgery, adjuvant therapy, or radiotherapy, whichever occurred last
* Women who are not currently practicing yoga and have not participated in any of the following activities:

  * Meditation, tai chi, or related activities
  * Yoga or tai chi within the past 6 months
  * Had classes for or practiced yoga for more than 3 months
* Women who typically engage in a total of 5 or more hours of vigorous physical activity per week are not eligible
* No inflammatory breast cancer

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria:

* Hemoglobin ≥ 10 g/dL (patients with a hemoglobin of \< 10 g/dL may be retested in 6 weeks after treatment of anemia and allowed to participate in study if blood counts recovered)
* Physically able to fully participate in yoga intervention

Exclusion criteria:

* Inability to comfortably get up and down from the floor 2-3 times in a session
* Breathing problems requiring use of oxygen
* Problems walking without a cane or walker assistance
* Prior knee or hip replacement with limited movement in the joint
* Inability to comfortably lie on the stomach
* Alcohol, or drug abuse
* Diagnosis of any of the following conditions:

  * Diabetes
  * Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  * Uncontrolled hypertension
  * Evidence of liver or kidney failure
  * Symptomatic ischemic heart disease
  * Significant visual or auditory problems
  * Mental disorder or cognitive impairment
  * Notable serious cardiovascular history (e.g., prior life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms)
  * Other medical conditions involving the immune system such as autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis
* History of breast or any other cancer, except basal or squamous cell skin cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* See Disease Characteristics
* No regular use of medications with major immunological consequences (e.g., steroids)