Mindfulness and Tai Chi Boost Mood, Strength in People With Cancer

Practicing mindfulness and moving meditation (such as tai chi/qigong or yoga) may boost mood and strength in people with cancer who are feeling distressed, suggests a new report in The Journal of Clinical Oncology. The findings add more evidence of the benefit of mind-body therapies for people with a history of cancer.

People with breast cancer may face many physical and mental symptoms, including anxiety, pain, depression, fatigue, and even anger during and after their treatment. Small studies suggest that complementary medicine, such as yoga, meditation, and acupuncture, may offer relief from some of these symptoms.

Research shows tai chi “may help to increase strength, stamina, heart and lung function, feelings of well-being, [and] fatigue, which I think is very important in terms of breast cancer,” Judith Sachs, a tai chi instructor, said during an interview with The Breastcancer.org Podcast. 

This new study focused on 587 people with cancer based in the Canadian cities of Calgary and Toronto. The participants — about 40% of whom had breast cancer — chose to follow either a nine-week mindfulness program, an 11-week tai chi/qigong program, or neither. The mindfulness program focused on different forms of meditation, including sitting and walking meditations and gentle Hatha yoga. The tai chi/qigong program focused on rhythmic movements and breath work.  Before and after the program, the researchers asked the participants about their mood, including tension/anxiety, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion. 

Overall, people who practiced mindfulness or tai chi had better moods than people who didn’t take part in either program. Both interventions reduced anger and improved mental and physical strength. Mindfulness alleviated tension, and tai chi improved feelings of depression. Tai chi was the most effective in boosting the moods of younger people and people with more advanced disease compared to older and early-stage participants. Women benefited from the mindfulness program more than men.