Cancer Nurs. 2026 May 4. doi: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000001584. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Yoga-based breathing exercises (pranayama) can be effective in improving symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and insomnia, and increasing self-efficacy after colorectal cancer surgery.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of pranayama on pain, fatigue, insomnia, and self-efficacy after colorectal cancer surgery.
METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled trial comparing a yoga-based breathing intervention to a usual care control group. Participants who were taking the same type and dosage of postsurgical pain medication and not taking sleeping pills were randomly assigned to groups. This study was conducted with 80 adult patients with a recent diagnosis of colorectal cancer who were scheduled for surgical resection. The intervention group performed pranayama twice a day in the evening before surgery and for 7 days after surgery.
RESULTS: In the intervention group, fatigue decreased (P = .012, η2 = 0.055) and sleep quality improved more (P = .033, η2 = 0.043) compared with the control group. Although pain levels decreased over time in the intervention group compared with the control group, this change was not statistically significant (P = .185, η2 = 0.021). Similarly, self-efficacy showed an upward trend in the intervention group; however, this increase was not statistically significant (P = .126, η2 = 0.026).
CONCLUSIONS: Pranayama may be effective in reducing postsurgical fatigue and insomnia and improving self-efficacy.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: These findings support the integration of pranayama into holistic perioperative care as a complementary approach to managing postsurgical symptoms such as fatigue and insomnia.
PMID:42263273 | DOI:10.1097/NCC.0000000000001584
