Aim of the study
Our rationale to investigate the issue was the need
for empirical assessment of the effectiveness of yoga
among Polish breast cancer patients. Despite its popularity
abroad, the subject of the influence of yoga on
functioning of patients after mastectomy and other
breast surgeries have not been undertaken in Poland
so far. Our research was aimed to fill this gap.
We raised two research questions:
1. Does a programme of rehabilitation classes based
on yoga influence the quality of life of women after
breast surgery?
2. Does the quality of life differ between women after
breast surgery who practiced yoga and those who
did not?Considering the previous findings, we hypothesized
that participating in yoga practice would have a positive
impact on the general quality of life as well as emotional
and physical functioning of the participants. We
also assumed that exercising women would perceive
the reduction of fatigue, improvement of body image
as well as mobility and strength of the arm on the operated
breast side.