A Yoga Program for Adults Diagnosed With Gynecologic Cancer

Worldwide, >1.3 million adults are diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer each year. With rising survival rates, there are an increasing number of adults experiencing negative body image and decreased sexual functioning, resulting in reduced emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing and quality of life (QoL). It is vital that adults have access to programs focused on improving their body image and sexual functioning after a gynecologic cancer diagnosis. The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation (ORCF) is a non-for-profit, community-based organization offering support to persons with cancer. Strong university-community partnerships are essential to enhance translational and implementation research efforts. Stakeholders from academia, the healthcare sector, and the community (ORCF) are partnering to establish and implement an evidenced-based yoga program co-created with adults diagnosed with gynecologic cancer and yoga instructors to address the wellbeing needs of adults diagnosed with gynecologic cancer. The specific objectives of this mixed-methods feasibility trial are to: (1) evaluate the feasibility (recruitment, retention, adherence, intervention fidelity) of (a) the yoga program and (b) the trial methods the investigators propose to use to evaluate its benefits in a future trial (i.e., trial methods), (2) evaluate the acceptability of the yoga program and evaluative methods, and (3) explore preliminary effects of the program on key self-reported outcomes. Data will be used to frame evaluation and implementation efforts.

Inclusion Criteria:Be at least 18 years of ageHave received a diagnosis of non-metastatic gynecologic cancer,Are able to read/speak/understand English,Have access to the Internet and an audio-visual device (e.g., computer, smart phone),Able and willing to travel to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation twice a week for the first 2 weeks of the program.Exclusion Criteria:Be non-ambulatory (i.e., unable to walk or require the assistance of a mobility device),Currently practicing yoga at least 1/week or have practiced consistently in the last 6 months (i.e., 1/week for 8 weeks).