Physical activity, educational sessions, waiting list, lecture, routine care, and conversation
SMD −0.74 (−0.97, −0.52)
<0.0001
776
Moderate* (low)
Chi square test 19.73, df = 11 (); -square = 44% Moderate heterogeneity detected
“Methodological quality of the studies had no relevant impact on the study outcome; of note, studies with higher quality had a better pain outcome as compared with studies with low quality”
“Evidence of a short-term relief of four key domains of FMS by Yoga: pain, fatigue, depression, quality of life” No evidence of sleep improvement with yoga v. active or waitlist controls
Integrated yoga, MBSR: gentle yoga, Tibetan, and unspecified yoga
Waitlist, n.r
SMD −0.95 (−1.63, −0.27)
0.006
744
5.25/10** (low)
Chi square test 33, 96, df = 4 (); -square = 88% Very high heterogeneity detected
“Findings show potential benefits of yoga for people with cancer in improvements of psychological healthclinical heterogeneity to be considered when interpreting results”
Quality of life
SF-12, FACT_B, FACT_G, and EORTC QLQ-C30
Restorative, Hatha, and unspecified yoga
n.r
SMD −0.29 (−0.58, 0.01)
0.51
210
4.7/10** (low)
Chi square test 1.34, df = 2 (); -square = 0% No heterogeneity detected
Physical health
SF-12, FACT_B, and FACT_G
Restorative, Hatha, Tibetan, and MBSR: gentle yoga
n.r
SMD −0.16 (−0.37, −0.06)
0.15
367
5.25/10** (low)
Chi square test 3.96, df = 3 (); -square = 24% Some heterogeneity detected
“Indicated significant and large effects for medium-term pain in favour of yoga”
n.r: not reported; BDI: Beck Depression Inventory; VAS: Visual Analogue Scale; MENSI: Menopausal Self-inventory; MPQ: McGill pain questionnaire; PPI: Present Pain Index; CMDQ: Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire; HADS: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; PSS: Perceived Stress Scale; STAI: State of Trait Anxiety Inventory; SOSI: Symptoms of stress inventory; POMS: Profile of Mood States; SCL-90-R: Symptoms Checklist Revised; CES-D: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; PANAS: Positive and Negative Affect Schedule; IES: Impact of Events Scale; DMI: Distressed Mood Index; SF-36: Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey; SF-12: The 12-Item Short Form Health Survey; FACT_B: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast; FACT_G: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General; EORTC QLQ-C30: European Organization for research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Version 3.0; MBSR: Mindfulness-based stress reduction.
*Average Jadad score.
**Average PEDro scale.