TREATMENT OF CANCER USING MIND AND BODY INTEGRATION THROUGH YOGA

Dr. H.R. Nagendra
Director & Vice Chancellor, University of Vivekanan Yoga Vidya Mahapeetham, Bangalore.

Modern Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy and surgical interventions in the treatment of cancer have brought great solace to the sufferers of this dreaded disease.

The use of Yoga Therapy as an adjunct is augmenting the missing dimensions of treatment at the level of Prana, mind, emotions and intellect. The Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy (IAYT) is based on the Panca Kosa model and the origin of diseases as Adhi at

Manomaya Kosa and manifesting at the physical level as Vyadhi. This has been used since 1986 to even treat terminal cases. The advanced techniques of lAYT captioned lRT, QRT and DRT,PET, MSRT, MIRT,MEMT,VISAK and ANAMS which can be performed even while lying on the bed have shown their effectiveness in reducing anxiety, fear, secondary effects of mainline treatment, clinical symptoms of pain, weakness, etc on one hand and "in improving the quality of life by increased vitality, physical, mental and social well being and a spiritual growth. Research findings will be presented. A summary of the recently completed 4 years project on breast canter captioned "Evaluation of Yo9a Therapy as a complementary psychotherapeutic intervention in Breast Cancer patients undergoing conventional treatment is given below.

Sixty Nine females diagnosed with breast cancer of stage II and III who were decided on the regime of primary surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy were include into the study over a 4 year period. Subjects were ranQ9rb,y allocated to either yogo group (Intervention)(n=32)or supportive therapy (controls)(n=37}prior to their primary treatment. The two groups were homogenous with

respect to their age, stage of disease, node status and conventional treatment regimen. Subjects in yoga group were imparted IAYT during the course of chemotherapy. Subjects in control group were imparted "Supportive Counseling" sessions. Baseline assessments were taken prior to surgery and subsequent assessments were carried out before, during and after radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Assessments included structured questionnaires for assessing affective states such as anxiety (State Trait Anxiety Inventory) and depression (Beck's Depression Inventory), pain scores (Visual Analogue Scale), quality-of life by (Functional Living Index of Cancer) and Conventional treatment toxicity was assessed using WHO Common Toxicity Criteria.

Blood draws for evaluation of Cytokines (sIL2r, TNF Alpha, IFN Gamma) CDS6 Counts and Serum Immunoglobulin assessments (lgG, IgM and IgA) were also carried out. Yoga group reported significant Improvement in affective states, less distress and improved quality of life as compared to control group during radiotherapy and chemotherapy,
Systemic/Organ toxicity and side effects during chemotherapy was significantly decreased .in the yoga group as compared to controls (p<O.OOOl ), Subjects in the yoga group had lower levels of igA indicating reduced disease activity and higher levels of slL2R and CDS6 counts envisaging effective anti tumor immune response. The results suggest a possible use for yoga therapy is a psychotherapeutic intervention in reducing psychological morbidity; treatment toxicity and improving quality of life and anti-tumor Immune responses in breast cancer patients undergoing conventional treatment for cancer.