JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women, with survivors often experiencing long-term symptoms such as cancer-related fatigue, which significantly impacts quality of life. Yoga has demonstrated potential in alleviating cancer-related fatigue and enhancing overall health and quality of life. Digital interventions are increasingly recognized as a feasible approach to cancer rehabilitation. However, digitally distributed home-based yoga interventions in breast cancer rehabilitation remain underexplored. More research in this area is essential to achieve a deeper understanding of participants’ experiences.

Objective:

To explore women’s experiences of participating in a digitally distributed, home-based yoga intervention in breast cancer rehabilitation.

Methods:

This qualitative study employed an inductive content analysis approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 women who had undergone breast cancer surgery and participated in a 12-week digitally distributed, home-based yoga intervention as part of the randomized controlled multicenter trial Digital Yoga Intervention in Cancer Rehabilitation (DigiYoga CaRe). The intervention consisted of two home-based yoga sessions each week: one live-streamed group class led by an experienced yoga instructor and one pre-recorded self-paced practice video. Interviews were conducted within one month of completing the intervention, using a semi-structured guide with 12 open-ended questions covering physical and mental experiences, daily life impacts, and reflections on the digital format (live-streamed and prerecorded video). The interview transcripts were analyzed using conventional content analysis to identify subcategories and categories, providing insights into participants’ experiences.

Results:

The interviewees reported that the home-based yoga intervention helped them to actively manage their illness and treatment-related side effects, promoting mental recovery, physical activity, and self-care routines. They commented that it fostered resilience and empowerment through increased body awareness, self-confidence, and a shift in focus toward progress and well-being, equipping them with coping strategies for their daily lives. They perceived the telerehabilitation format as a safe and user-friendly rehabilitation option, providing support through manageable digital tools and fostering a sense of safety and community. The accessibility of home-based participation facilitated adherence, making the intervention a valuable and inclusive rehabilitation tool for breast cancer survivors.

Conclusions:

The digitally distributed home-based yoga intervention was experienced as an effective and accessible tool for breast cancer rehabilitation, promoting overall well-being. For these participants, it fostered resilience, empowerment, and a sense of community; this highlights its potential as a user-friendly rehabilitation option that could be integrated into cancer care to support recovery and address various patient needs. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04812652; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04812652