Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39636574›Full record

SynthesisJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2026

Optimal yoga dose for improving cancer-related fatigue, quality of life, and sleep quality in breast cancer survivors: a Bayesian dose-response meta-analysis.

Wenyu Liu, Wei Li, Bei Wu, Hao Chen, Xiangyu Zhao, Huimin Wangwan

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisReview
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In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Applications of machine learning and natural language processing to neurocognitive outcomes in posttreatment cancer survivors: a scoping review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  3. Review
  4. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Wenyu LiuDongshin University, Naju, Jeollanam-Do, Korea.
Wei LiCollege of Physical Education, Baotou Teacher's College, Baotou, China.
Bei WuDongshin University, Naju, Jeollanam-Do, Korea.
Hao ChenDongshin University, Naju, Jeollanam-Do, Korea.
Xiangyu ZhaoDongshin University, Naju, Jeollanam-Do, Korea.
Huimin WangwanYunnan College of Finance and Economics, Kunming, Yunnan, China. 18769519633@163.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDuring long-term treatment, breast cancer survivors (BCSs) often experience decreased sleep quality and quality of life and increased fatigue. The interplay between these factors continually worsens the physical and psychological states of BCSs. Although yoga exercise has been shown to improve these adverse outcomes, the exact dose required is unknown. The purpose of our study was to determine the optimal yoga dose for improving cancer-related fatigue, sleep quality, and quality of life in BCSs.

methodsA systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was conducted from the beginning of the database search until March 2024 to identify randomized controlled trials on the effects of yoga exercise on BCS-specific outcomes. Paired and dose-response meta-analyses were performed using Bayesian hierarchical random-effects models to analyze these effects.

resultsA total of 2423 breast cancer survivors were included in the 32 studies, with 1252 in the yoga intervention group and 1171 in the control group. Yoga intervention improved fatigue (standard mean difference [SMD]: - 0.55; 95% CrI, - 0.64 to - 0.45. Standard deviation [SD]: 0.32; 95% CrI, 0.23 to 0.45. RSRF ≤ 1.01), sleep quality (SMD: - 0.29; 95% CrI, - 0.43 to - 0.15. SD: 0.56; 95% CrI, 0.35 to 0.88. RSRF ≤ 1.01), and quality of life (SMD: 0.42; 95% CrI, 0.30 to - 0.53. SD: 0.32; 95% CrI, 0.23 to 0.45. RSRF ≤ 1.01) in BCS. It has a nonlinear dose-response relationship, a U-shaped dose-response relationship with fatigue and quality of life, and a positively correlated dose-response relationship with sleep quality. The optimal exercise dose for improving both fatigue and quality of life was 510 METs-min/week, and sleep quality significantly improved when the dose exceeded 160 METs-min/week. Yoga was less effective for fatigue during treatment compared to post-treatment, while its effects on quality of life and sleep quality remained relatively stable throughout both periods. Furthermore, with increasing age, the benefits of yoga interventions for improving fatigue and sleep quality in BCS decrease, while the benefits for improving quality of life increase.

conclusionsThis meta-analysis provided critical information on the optimal weekly dose of yoga exercise (220 min/week) to improve fatigue, sleep quality, and quality of life in patients with BCSs. Practitioners should consider the therapeutic stage and age of BCSs when developing yoga strategies to maximize the benefits. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: For BCS, personalized yoga interventions tailored to treatment stages and age, coupled with regular effectiveness assessments, can significantly enhance recovery and improve quality of life.

Indexed as

Breast NeoplasmsCancer SurvivorsFatigueQuality of LifeSleep QualityYogaBayes TheoremFemaleHumansBreast cancerDose–responseFatigueQuality of lifeSleep qualityYoga

Identifiers

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.