Prevalence and factors of meditation and yoga practice in the USA: How cancer and anxiety correlate.
Victoria J Dunsmore, Austin R Waters, Katherine Reeder-Hayes, Stephanie B Wheeler
Supportive Care in Cancer February 13, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-025-09231-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,945 |
| Population | Female cancer survivors in the USA |
| Topics | Meditation Anxiety |
| Keywords | Cancer Female Mind–body Yoga |
| Key findings | Meditation and yoga use among female cancer survivors is low (21.5% and 16.8%, respectively), and among those with high anxiety, yoga use is higher in large central metro areas and for certain cancer types. |
Abstract
Research has shown that mind-body practices like meditation and yoga can improve quality of life among female cancer survivors. Yet, correlates of the likelihood to use these practices are unknown in the USA. The goal of this study was to use recent data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to establish the prevalence and correlates of meditation and yoga practices among female cancer survivors in the USA, as well as among survivors who report high or frequent anxiety. Using data from the NHIS, we identified eligible female respondents who had reported being diagnosed with cancer (N = 1,945). We identified factors associated with meditation and yoga practice use through self-reported surveys. Our sample (N = 1945) was primarily White (82.9%), 65 years or older (55.2%), heterosexual (97.2%), lived in medium/small metro areas (35.3%) in the South (36.6%), did not report frequent or high anxiety (63.9%), 21.5% used meditation, and 16.8% used yoga. Our results showed that among female survivors with high or frequent anxiety, there were higher odds of using yoga among those living in large central metro areas or who reported other cancers. Use of meditation and yoga practices after cancer diagnosis remains uncommon. To best reach diverse survivors who may benefit from evidence-based mind-body practices, tailoring may be needed.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 985 |
| The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Internet survey respondents reporting challenging experiences with psilocybin | 2016 | Questionnaire development and validation | |
| Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study Adult population in the United States | 2013 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 130,152 |
| Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Ecstasy users who participated in a WWW study of recreational drug use | 2002 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 282 |
| 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. Adults who used 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures | 2019 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 362 |
Citations in the library
Cites 2
- The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cancer-related fatigue in oncology patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis PLoS One July 14, 2022
- A Test of Feasibility and Acceptability of Online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Women and Men at Risk for High Stress: Pilot Study JMIR Mental Health August 16, 2019