*** This trial is conducted online ***
Psychological distress in people diagnosed with cancer is common and can have a number of negative consequences for affected people, including a reduced quality of life and increased experience of physical symptoms. Yoga interventions have the potential to address issues such as anxiety and depression to reduce or eliminate these effects.
NICM Health Research Institute researchers are currently recruiting participants for a study investigating whether yoga can reduce anxiety and depression in people diagnosed with cancer.
Who can join?
- Women aged over 18 years living in Australia, who:
- Have been diagnosed with breast/gynaecological cancer in the last five years.
- Have completed chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment and are not taking corticosteroids (stable hormone therapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy allowed).
- Meet criteria for a mood or anxiety disorder and experience symptoms of depression or anxiety.
- If taking medication or receiving professional mental health assistance, the dose and treatment have remained unchanged for at least three months.
- Have adequate general health to undertake yoga.
- Are not currently doing yoga more than once a week on average (over the last three months).
- Are able to read and understand English.
- Have regular access to reliable internet and a device with a web camera.
What’s involved?
Participants will be asked to:
- Read the participant information sheet and provide consent.
- After an initial assessment and consent, participants will be allocated to either group yoga classes or individual yoga sessions.
- Participants allocated to the group yoga classes will be required to attend a one-hour group class each week for six weeks.
- Participants allocated to the individual yoga sessions will be required to attend six one-on-one yoga sessions over six weeks.
- All participants will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires at week one, four and eight of the study period, as well as short weekly surveys and regular phone calls with the researchers.
- All sessions will be conducted online using a videoconferencing platform called Zoom.
What are the benefits of participating?
- You may experience a reduction a severity in your symptoms associated with depression or anxiety.
- You will help further research on the use of yoga in the management of symptoms of depression and anxiety in people diagnosed with cancer.
Interested in participating in this study?
For more details about the study, please read the following information before deciding whether to participate.
- Participant Information Sheet (PDF, 109.27 KB) (opens in new window)
- Participant Consent Form (PDF, 79.88 KB) (opens in new window)
- Study Flyer (PDF, 113.58 KB) (opens in new window)
If you would like to register your interest and assess your eligibility to participate in this study, please complete the following survey. A member from our research team will be in touch with you within 2-3 business days.
- Online screening form (opens in new window)
For more information, please contact:
Maria Gonzalez
NICM Health Research Institute, Study Chief Investigator – PhD Candidate
e. m.gonzalez2@westernsydney.edu.au
