Following a single yoga session children diagnosed with cancer or a blood disorder appear to experience a significant decrease in pain but no change in anxiety levels, whereas both adolescents and parents have a significant decrease in anxiety levels

In March 2020 researchers from the USA published the results of their study to assess the effect of a single bedside yoga class on children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer or a blood disorder and their caregivers. The researchers stated that yoga has already been reported to decrease stress in adults diagnosed with chronic disorders but few studies have been reported with children and their families. Children and adolescents, aged aged 7-17 years, were assessed for anxiety and pain levels before and after the yoga session with the caregivers being assessed for anxiety levels. Results showed that following the yoga session children had a significant decrease in pain following the yoga session but no change in anxiety. It was also seen that both adolescents and caregivers had a significant decrease in anxiety following the yoga session.

Fukuhara JS et al. Yoga as a Complementary and Alternative Therapy in Children with Hematologic and Oncologic Disease. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2020 Mar 13. [Epub ahead of print]

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