Experiences of young adults affected by cancer within an 8-week yoga intervention delivered by videoconference: a qualitative interview study

Abstract

Background

Yoga may reduce negative cancer- and treatment-related effects and help improve a range of outcomes, including flexibility, mindfulness, and quality of life among adults affected by cancer. Yet there is little evidence for the role of yoga among young adults (18–39 years) affected by cancer.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of young adults affected by cancer in an 8-week yoga intervention delivered by videoconference.

Methods

Young adults who were diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 18 and 39 years, at any stage of the cancer trajectory, who were living in Canada, and who completed an 8-week yoga intervention were approached to complete a semi-structured interview. A social constructivist paradigm was adopted. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Twenty-eight young adults (Mean age = 34.67 ± 5.11 years; n = 25 female) with varied cancer diagnoses participated. Participants’ perspectives were represented across 6 themes: (1) I was juggling a number of challenges and changes throughout the yoga intervention; (2) I noticed some improvements in my mental and physical health; (3) I made time to discover new strategies to take care of myself; (4) I was able to see what my body is capable of; (5) I was held accountable and I appreciated that, and; (6) I was able to be around similar others in a safe (virtual) space.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that an 8-week yoga intervention may offer some benefits for young adults affected by cancer. Self-care, self-compassion, mindfulness, feelings of physical competence, establishing a routine, and being around similar others were viewed as important components of the intervention and may have contributed to the benefits experienced. Findings underscore the potential utility of yoga as a supportive care intervention for young adults affected by cancer.

KEY MESSAGES

1. Young adults affected by cancer described changed physical and mental health after an 8-week yoga intervention delivered by videoconference.

2. Taking time for oneself, practicing self-compassion and mindfulness, enhanced feelings of physical competence, and establishing a routine were important elements of the intervention.

3. Young adults appreciated being around similar others (i.e., other young adults affected by cancer) and felt connected in this videoconference-based intervention.

Keywords:

• Online
• virtual
• movement
• mindfulness
• oncology
• survivorship
• rehabilitation

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the individuals who participated in the pilot trial and interviews for their time, the yoga instructors (Heather Molina and Lauren Cowley) and moderators (Delaney Duchek and Maximilian Eisele) who delivered and supported delivery of classes, respectively, and the organizations who aided with recruitment. The authors would also like to acknowledge funding from the University of the Fraser Valley (Initiate Grant; PI Wurz), which supported one of the authors (NA). Finally, the authors would like to thank the members of the Yoga for Young Adults Patient Advisory Board (Kaitlyn Quinn, Lisa Currey, Maria-Hélèna Pacelli, Melissa Coombs, and Sundas Shamshad) for their involvement on the Board and input on the manuscript

Authors’ contributions

Emma McLaughlin: developed study protocol and received ethics approval, participant recruitment, yoga intervention registration, study eligibility and informed consent, conducted physical activity assessments, moderated the yoga intervention, conducted interviews, analyzed qualitative data, analyzed quantitative data, writing – original draft, and writing – review and editing. Nafeel Arshad: analyzed qualitative data, writing – original draft, and writing – review and editing. Kelsey Ellis: conducted physical activity assessments, moderated the yoga intervention, conducted interviews, and writing – review and editing. Amy Chen: moderated the yoga intervention, transcribed interviews, and writing – review and editing. Kate Fougere: transcribed interviews, and writing – review and editing. S. Nicole Culos-Reed: conceptualization, writing – review and editing. Amanda Wurz: conceptualization, developed study protocol and received ethics approval, delivered the yoga intervention, analyzed qualitative data, analyzed quantitative data, writing – original draft, and writing – review and editing. Yoga for Young Adults Advisory Board Members: writing – review and editing

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Health Research Ethics Board of Alberta (HREBA.CC-20-0365). Participants provided informed consent to participate.

Consent for publication

Not applicable

Disclosure statement

EM, NA, KE, AC, KF, and AW declare that they have no competing interests. SNCR is co-founder of Thrive Health Services Inc, who provide delivery of the training for the yoga instructors and moderators, as well as educational lead for the Yoga Thrive Teacher Training Program.

Data availability statement

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Notes

1 Two participants from the larger pilot trial did not participate in the semi-structured interview due to time conflicts with work and medical appointments.

2 Three participants did not indicate their treatment status.