Patient's expectations and experiences of yoga in group with either online or on-site participation during cancer treatment: A qualitative study

Purpose

To describe patients' expectations prior to participating in a yoga intervention during cancer treatment and assess whether the outcomes experienced post-intervention align with these prior expectations.

Method

A qualitative design was used, including participants from a quasi-experimental medical yoga intervention. Structured interviews (n = 20 in the online group yoga and n = 20 participating in the on-site group yoga) were conducted prior to and after 3-months yoga intervention, and were analyzed using thematic analysis employing a codebook approach.

Results

Two themes were generated; individual holistic benefits of yoga, and collective benefits of group yoga. Participants expected yoga to be helpful in unwinding, learning breathing techniques for relaxation, gaining physical strength, feeling more energetic, and improving body control. However, emotional and mental benefits were more commonly described than the physical benefits after participating in the yoga sessions. Participants valued the sense of belonging to a group and the opportunity to exchange experiences related to practicing yoga and to their cancer diagnoses, which were often fulfilled. Additionally, participants valued guidance from instructors during group yoga sessions.

Conclusions

This study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting yoga—whether on-site or online—as a valuable intervention for patients undergoing cancer treatment. While it may not fulfil all physical fitness expectations, its mental and emotional benefits (which were both expected and experienced), along with the sense of community it fosters, could make yoga a worthwhile mind and body intervention for these patients.