JOPHON NCPD (2021 Nov/Dec)- Yoga in the Pediatric Oncology Population: A Review of the Literature-JOPHON NCPD (2021 Nov/Dec) - Yoga in the Pediatric Oncology Population: A Review of the Literature

JOPHON NCPD (2021 Nov/Dec) - Yoga in the Pediatric Oncology Population: A Review of the Literature

Pdf Summary

This narrative review examined research from 2010–2020 on yoga interventions for children and adolescents with cancer, focusing on whether yoga may improve health-related quality of life (HRQL) as it does in adult oncology populations. Using searches across five databases (CINAHL, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus), the author identified only eight eligible studies in pediatric oncology where yoga was the primary intervention.<br /><br />All eight studies were small, nonrandomized, single-arm pilot or feasibility studies (sample sizes 6–29), conducted mostly in the United States (five) and Canada (three). Participants ranged from ages 5–19 with mixed diagnoses (hematologic malignancies, CNS tumors, and solid tumors). Several studies also included parents/caregivers and measured their outcomes (particularly anxiety). Settings varied widely, including inpatient units, outpatient clinics, community programs, home practice with DVDs, and virtual delivery (e.g., Skype). Interventions generally included physical poses, breathing, and final relaxation; some incorporated meditation or imagery. Program “dose” ranged from one bedside session to twice-weekly classes over 12 weeks.<br /><br />Across studies, recruitment was modest (about 34%–55% where reported) but retention/completion was generally moderate (around 70% overall, with some programs meeting predefined feasibility thresholds). Qualitative feedback was consistently positive, describing yoga as calming, enjoyable, and offering both physical and psychological relief.<br /><br />Preliminary outcome findings suggested improvements in selected HRQL domains—especially anxiety (in some children/teens and notably in parents), pain (including significant reductions after a single session in one study), and aspects of physical functioning/flexibility. Fatigue and broader quality-of-life measures showed mixed results. No adverse events were reported in studies that addressed safety.<br /><br />The review concludes that yoga appears feasible and safe for pediatric oncology populations, but evidence of efficacy remains limited due to small samples, heterogeneous interventions, and lack of randomized controlled trials. Further rigorous RCTs with standardized protocols, consistent outcome measures, and clearer reporting on adherence and safety are recommended.

Keywords

pediatric oncology

yoga intervention

children with cancer

adolescents with cancer

health-related quality of life (HRQL)

feasibility study

pilot study

anxiety reduction

pain management

randomized controlled trials (RCTs)