Mind-body practices are defined as a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind’s capacity to affect bodily function
and symptoms. A large percentage of the population, and especially people with cancer, participate in mind-body programs to
help relieve stress, improve quality of life, and modulate physiological systems. At The University of Texas M. D. Anderson
Cancer Center, we are conducting a number of clinical trials examining the biobehavioral effects of mind-body programs such
as Tibetan Yoga, Hatha Yoga, meditation, and Qigong. Initial studies have found that these programs help to improve aspects
of patient quality of life during and after treatment. More research is needed in this area with the use of appropriate control
groups and thorough examination of the potential mediators of the benefits of the interventions to truly know the efficacy
of these programs. It is clear that different mind-body practices have their place in oncology care. However, it is still
uncertain which programs are most effective, and it will likely turn out that different programs are useful for different
people at different times within the treatment and recovery trajectory. The key for health care professionals and patients
is to encourage participation in some type of mind-body program to help improve aspects of quality of life.
Keywords Mind-body medicine - oncology - quality of life - Yoga - meditation - Qigong