- There are reports that yoga may help ease perceived stress and raise self-esteem.
- The evidence score is 39, and reliability is rated low (limited).
- This content is based on research involving women undergoing breast cancer surgery.
Yoga is a practice that uses breathing techniques, physical poses, meditation, and similar elements to regulate the state of mind and body.
It is generally used in a variety of contexts as a means aimed at promoting health and relaxation.
There is a report that yoga may help ease perceived stress. This study suggests that activities such as yoga may affect stress and one's perception of oneself. In other words, it may bring about some change in one's state of mind.
Specifically, in a study of women undergoing surgery, a result was reported showing that incorporating yoga and mindfulness meditation was linked to a reduction in perceived stress. In addition, it was shown that these practices also had a positive effect on raising self-esteem (a positive sense regarding oneself, a feeling of valuing oneself) and on improving one's body image.
This study was conducted using the RCT method (randomized controlled trial: a reliable research method in which participants are randomly divided into groups to compare effects). In other words, this is an attempt to verify what kind of changes a specific activity brings about in its subjects.
The situation was examined for women undergoing surgery who took part in yoga and similar activities. This study was conducted on 39 women undergoing breast cancer surgery (modified radical mastectomy). Over this period of 56 days, what kind of changes occurred was examined.
The study looked in detail at the degree of perceived stress, self-evaluation, body image, and similar factors. As a result, it became apparent that interventions such as yoga may have a positive effect on these factors. In other words, this touches on the possibility of change in psychological aspects.
The design of this study is based on the RCT method (randomized controlled trial: a method in which participants are randomly divided into groups to compare effects). However, because this research involved a small number of subjects — 39 people — whether this applies to every case cannot be judged from this alone. In other words, the results need to be treated with caution.
The possibility that yoga has a positive effect on stress and self-esteem is reported from a single study. The evidence score for this study (an indicator of research quality) is 39, and reliability is rated low (limited). In other words, at this stage, a definite conclusion cannot yet be drawn.
An important point in interpreting this result is that the number of studies is just one. A single study alone does not settle anything — reliability only increases once many studies accumulate. For this reason, it is appropriate to regard this report only as "one possibility."
It must also be taken into account that the people studied were in the specific situation of undergoing breast cancer surgery. It is not known whether this result would apply in the same way to people in other situations. In other words, it is necessary to understand that there are limits to the scope of this research.
| Study | Design | Number of participants | Duration | Main result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer Nursing (2024, PMID:39773822) | Randomized controlled trial (RCT) | 39 people | 56 days | A positive effect was reported |
The subjects are 39 women undergoing breast cancer surgery (modified radical mastectomy).
Because the subjects are people in a specific post-surgical condition, this can serve as a reference point for people in a similar situation to consider whether it applies to them.
This research is based on a single randomized controlled trial (RCT).
The number of studies is 1, and reliability is reported as limited.
The duration of this study was 56 days.
What effect does yoga have on stress?
Studies have been reported showing that yoga has a positive effect on stress.
How is yoga related to self-esteem in women undergoing surgery?
The subjects are women undergoing modified radical mastectomy. Improved self-esteem, improved body image, and reduced stress have been reported.
How long was the yoga intervention studied for?
The duration of this study was 56 days.
One study has reported that yoga may have a positive effect on stress and self-esteem. However, this result is based on a small-scale study of 39 people, and reliability is limited. Greater certainty is awaited through further research. Why not start by taking the self-check to reflect on your current state?