Diaz, Waleska. Evaluating the impact of yoga on perceived stress levels of cancer patients and cancer survivors. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-g4rm-3v40
DescriptionPurpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the perceived stress levels of cancer patients and cancer survivors could be reduced through the regular practice of structured, professionally led, yoga sessions.
Methods: This study was quasi-experimental design that included pre- and post-intervention measurement of Perceived stress scale (PSS) surveys. The PSS-10, a 10 question Likert type questionnaire can be used to assess self-reported stress levels. Totals range from 0 to 40 with higher scores reflective of higher stress levels: Low 0-13, Moderate 14-26 and High 27 or greater. Intervention included a once weekly, 60-minute restorative gentle flow instructor led yoga session over a one-month period.
Results: A convenience sample of 18 English speaking adults, ages 18-89 with a current diagnosis or history of cancer were recruited for this study. Attrition rate was 25% leaving a final sample of (n=14). The Mean (M) and standard deviation (SD) for the pre intervention PSS were (M=20.36, 6.48 SD) and (M=15.07, SD 4.87) for post. A paired sample t test was used to evaluate the difference in scores. The results were as follows: pre-PSS (M=20.35, SD=6.47) and post PSS (M=15.07 SD=4.87) p = .005 with a significance level (p=value) set to .05.
Conclusion: The study yielded statistically significant results suggesting that the practice of yoga may be used as an effective method of stress reduction in this particular sample.