A study presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting suggests that a structured yoga program may help cancer survivors improve sleep quality and overall well-being.

Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center conducted a randomized clinical trial involving 410 adult cancer survivors with an average age of 54.Approximately 75% of participants were breast cancer survivors, and none had practiced yoga regularly during the previous three months.

Participants were divided into two groups: one received standard survivorship care, while the other received the same care plus participation in the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program.

The intervention consisted of two instructor-led 75-minute sessions per week over four weeks, incorporating Gentle Hatha yoga, Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques.

According to participant questionnaires, those enrolled in the yoga program experienced notable reductions in insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, and overall mood disturbance compared with those receiving standard care alone.Researchers found that improvements in mood and fatigue appeared to be linked to better sleep quality.The study reported no major safety concerns or serious adverse events associated with the yoga sessions.

However, the researchers noted several limitations, including the relatively homogeneous participant group, which was predominantly female, breast cancer survivors, Caucasian, and college-educated.The trial also excluded patients with metastatic cancer and only followed participants for four weeks, limiting conclusions about long-term benefits.The findings have not yet undergone peer review.

Researchers believe that if future studies confirm these results, structured yoga programs could become a recommended non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors seeking relief from treatment-related symptoms.