ABSTRACT
Effects of an integrated yoga program in modulating perceived stress levels, anxiety, as well as depression levels and radiation-induced DNA damage were studied in 68 breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Two psychological questionnaires--Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)--and DNA damage assay were used in the study. There was a significant decrease in the HADS scores in the yoga intervention group, whereas the control group displayed an increase in these scores. Mean PSS was decreased in the yoga group, whereas the control group did not show any change pre- and postradiotherapy. Radiation-induced DNA damage was significantly elevated in both the yoga and control groups after radiotherapy, but the postradiotherapy DNA damage in the yoga group was slightly less when compared to the control group. An integrated approach of yoga intervention modulates the stress and DNA damage levels in breast cancer patients during radiotherapy.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/radiotherapy , DNA Damage/radiation effects , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Yoga , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , India , Middle Aged , Radiation Injuries/rehabilitation , Radiotherapy/adverse effects , Stress, Psychological/etiology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Pregnant Swiss albino mice were exposed to a single dose of 9 mGy or 50 mGy of 70 kVp X-rays on day 3.5 (preimplantation), 6.5 (early organogenesis) or 11.5 (late organogenesis) of gestation. The offspring were observed for any radiation induced changes in litter size at birth and sex ratio at 4 wks of age, and postnatal mortality and growth retardation up to 6 wks of age. Irradiation at the early organogenesis stage produced an increase in the postnatal death, statistically significant in the 50 mGy group. A significant increase in the number of retarded offspring and decrease in body weight were observed in the groups exposed at the early and late organogenesis periods. The results indicate that a single exposure to low energy low dose X-rays can be harmful to the growing embryos and the type and extent of the injury will depend on the stage of development as well as the dose of radiation.