Global applicability of meridian yoga for the improvement of neuropathic pain in breast cancer survivors: a single-blind randomised controlled trial

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a disabling complication in breast cancer survivors that lacks effective treatments. This trial investigates whether meridian yoga, a therapy combining classical postures with meridian-based stretches, addresses the physiological effects of CIPN. This study is a single-centre, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05959811). We randomised 80 stage I–III breast cancer survivors 1:1 to an eight-week meridian yoga programme plus standard care or standard care alone. Seventy-one participants (37 meridian yoga, 34 control) completed the study. The primary endpoint is the change in neuropathic pain symptoms assessed by the Taiwan version of the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI-T). Secondary outcomes include peripheral perfusion index (PPI), meridian energy, and salivary biomarkers (cortisol and interleukin-6 (IL-6)). Compared with controls, the meridian yoga group achieves greater reductions in the NPSI-T total score (70.7 ± 24.2%; P = 4.2 × 10−12) across all domains. Participants in meridian yoga group show PPI normalisation in those with abnormal baseline circulation (P = 1.2 × 10−3 for high, P = 4.6 × 10−2 for low) and significant gains in overall bioenergetic indices (P ≤ 5.0 × 10−2/15). Levels of salivary cortisol and IL-6 remain unchanged. No serious adverse events occurred. Meridian yoga is a safe, feasible, and globally scalable intervention for CIPN survivorship care, with potential physiological markers for monitoring therapeutic responses. Chemotherapy often causes long-lasting, difficult-to-treat nerve pain in breast cancer survivors. This study investigated whether “meridian yoga”—a simple exercise combining traditional yoga with traditional Chinese medicine stretches—could relieve this pain. Researchers assigned 80 breast cancer survivors with nerve pain to receive either standard medical care alone or standard care plus an eight-week meridian yoga programme. The women who practiced meridian yoga experienced a 70% reduction in their nerve pain, whereas those receiving only standard care saw no improvement. The yoga group also showed healthier blood flow and better bodily energy balance. Because it requires no special equipment and is safe, meridian yoga offers a highly accessible, effective strategy to help cancer survivors worldwide manage pain and improve their overall quality of life. Tsai et al. conduct a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of an eight-week meridian yoga programme for managing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer survivors. They find that meridian yoga significantly reduces neuropathic pain and improves peripheral circulation and bioenergetic balance versus standard care.