Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Tai Chi versus mindful yoga on psycho-spiritual distress in patients with advanced cancer: A mixed-method pilot randomized controlled trial.
European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society January 30, 2026 Naomi Takemura, Jojo Yan-Yan Kwok, Wing Lok Chan et al.
Both Tai Chi and mindful yoga are feasible and acceptable for people with advanced cancer, with attendance rates above 86% and high satisfaction. Compared to a control group that received only written exercise guidelines, Tai Chi and mindful yoga led to preliminary reductions in depression and improvements in balance that lasted 12 weeks after the programs ended. Mindful yoga also showed additional enhancements in mindfulness and spiritual well-being at the 24-week follow-up. Qualitative interviews revealed themes that may explain these improvements. A large-scale trial is needed to confirm the findings.