Yoga for pain and anxiety in pediatric hematology-oncology patients: Case series and review of the literature

In response to rising interests from patients, many comprehensive cancer centers now offer an integrative model of care which includes the provision of complementary medicine. Yoga is one such intervention that has been used in children. We performed an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved chart review of pediatric hematology-oncology patients who received yoga. Patients with sickle cell vaso-occlusive pain crises or cancer were offered bedside yoga by a certified yoga instructor. Pain before and after yoga was reported using the 10-point Wong-Baker FACES pain scale. Anxiety before and after yoga was assessed with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Qualitative patient quotes were extracted from the yoga therapist's notes. Twenty patient's charts were reviewed, 50% were male. The mean age was 18 years, (range 11-26 years.) Most common diagnoses were sickle cell vaso-occlusive pain crises (45%), and sarcoma (40%.) The mean reduction in pain score was 0.94 (SD ± 1.68), p = .005, and the mean reduction in anxiety T-score was 9.62 (SD ± 6.74), p = .0001. Patient quotes suggest that yoga was beneficial, especially for relaxation. Literature review offers preliminary support for the use of yoga for anxiety in children. Our data suggest that further research on yoga as an effective intervention for pediatric hematology-oncology patients for pain and anxiety is needed.