Yoga in cancer caregivers: A way towards wellbeing

Cancer is one of the most leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. As the prevalence of cancer increases, higher number of patients will have to depend on caregiver for the support. Increase in cancer patient symptom burden leads to poor quality of life and it needs additional support and care from the caregivers. Care giving is physical and emotional situation and caregivers shows clinical levels of depression, anxiety, fatigue and sleep disturbances as similar to the cancer patient. Hence cancer has its effect not only the quality of life of the patient with disease but also the family members close to them. Yoga which has shown physical and mental health benefits, for example: stress reduction, improved mood, balance, strength is a form of Physical Activity (PA) which can be one of the useful measures for the caregivers. Studies conducted on effectiveness of yoga on cancer caregivers have shown positive results in decreasing psychological distress and improving quality of life. The research conducted on impact of yoga in cancer caregivers are in limited numbers. Hence more research has to be conducted with randomized control trail, large sample size and longer duration to find the more accurate result.