ONS Connect - April 2008 - (Page 21)

suggestive of benefit, and further research is warranted. Considerations for Patients with Cancer Most of the trials DiStasio (2008) described used yoga interventions designed specifically for patients with cancer or chronic illnesses and used gentle poses and stretching that could be performed even if patients have functional limitations. This careful approach minimized adverse consequences and improved participation; therefore, study results cannot be generalized to yoga classes for healthy populations. As with all exercise, participants should check with their healthcare providers about any limitations in their specific cases. Currently, no evidence-based guidelines contraindicate yoga among patients with cancer, although some cautions exist for certain circumstances. • Patients with symptomatic anemia, postural hypotension, or lightheadedness should avoid prolonged standing poses and move slowly when transitioning between positions. • Patients with balance concerns may need to use a chair or wall during standing poses. • In the presence of fever, systemic infection, or significant thrombocytopenia, more vigorous yoga poses should be avoided. • Patients with neutropenia should avoid crowded classes with little space between participants. Because of the potential for fungal and bacterial infections from shared yoga mats, patients should purchase their own mats or use disinfecting wipes on shared mats. • Patients should respond to their own bodies’ signals during class. If pain, numbness, shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, or other ad- figure 1. Yoga DvDs for Patients with Cancer AM and PM Yoga Workout for Seniors with Lilias: suitable for beginners, easy to follow; led by a well-known, experienced teacher Carol Dickman’s Bed Top Yoga (also available in VHS): simple yoga stretches done lying down; for all levels; 33 minutes Carol Dickman’s Seated Yoga: seated yoga with stretching and breathing exercises; for all levels Gentle Kripalu Yoga with Sudha Carolyn Lundeen: beginner yoga; two sessions are less than 30 minutes each and include floor, standing, and relaxation poses. Healing Yoga for Aches and Pains with Charles and Lisa Matkin: gentle poses using a chair, provides excellent instructions; focuses on the back and neck pain, arthritis, and injuries; 35 minutes Yoga and the Gentle Art of Healing: A Journey of Recovery After Breast Cancer with Susan Rosen: gentle, simple yoga poses designed to open the body, especially the chest, and promote relaxation; 45 minutes Yoga for Stress with Baxter Bell: stress prevention; stress relief practice and quick relaxation techniques; good description of the benefit of relaxation for stress; 35 minutes Yoga Journal’s Yoga for Relaxation and Meditation with Patricia Walden and Rodney Yee: several different relaxation or meditation sessions of varying lengths; very gentle and easy to follow Note. Based on information from DiStasio, 2008. verse symptoms occur, participants should come out of the posture and rest. The situation could be discussed with the yoga teacher at the end of class for possible modifications. Yoga Classes Many cancer centers now offer yoga classes designed specifically for people with cancer where the teacher usually is experienced with the patient population. For example, balancing poses may be more challenging yet helpful for people experiencing chemotherapy-induced neuropathies, and people who have had chest, breast, or axilla surgery may benefit from postures that open and expand the chest and shoulder region. Such specialized classes also can offer group support. Participants are less apt to feel awkward about removing a wig or turban, exposing alopecia. They may be less likely to feel strange about the sounds made by a portable chemotherapy infusion pump during class. Patients new to yoga may feel safer attending classes at a cancer center. However, survivors who have completed and recovered from active therapy may feel comfortable in a general community beginner’s class, progressing into more advanced classes as they strengthen and become more experienced in yoga. Individualized instruction with a yoga teacher also is an option for patients and allows for instruction and modification of poses on an individual level. ✱ DiStasio, S.A. (2008). Integrating yoga into cancer care. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 12(1), 125–130. APRIL 2008 ONS CONNECT 21

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ONS Connect - April 2008

ONS Connect - April 2008 Contents Editor's Note Just In Work-Life Balance A Year in the Life—Month Four Web Connect Capitol Connection Notice Nursing Now Enhance Your Professionalism in Your Daily Practice Help Patients Integrate Yoga Into Cancer Care Caregiver Care Epigenetics Offers New Options for Cancer Diagnosis Working for You Calendar of Events Staying on Top

ONS Connect - April 2008

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