Effects of Online Oncology Yoga and Mindfulness-Based Meditation on Fatigue, Sleep, and Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Survivors: A Mixed-Methods Study.
Tuba Sengul, Fahriye Oflaz, Ayişe Karadağ
Florence Nightingale journal of nursing March 26, 2026 DOI: 10.5152/fnjn.2026.24139 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Sequential explanatory mixed-methods study (primarily quantitative) Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 90 |
| Population | Colorectal cancer survivors, mean age 50.57 years, 50.0% women |
| Interventions | Oncology yoga Mindfulness-based meditation |
| Duration | 12-week intervention; study conducted October 2021 to February 2022 |
| Measures | Brief Fatigue Inventory, Piper Fatigue Inventory, European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, patient information form |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | After 12 weeks of online oncology yoga and mindfulness-based meditation, the intervention group showed significant improvements in fatigue (Brief Fatigue t = -5.22; Piper Fatigue t = -3.72), sleep quality (t = -3.54), and quality of life (t = -3.41) compared with controls. Focus group participants reported enhanced physical and psychological relaxation, greater well-being, and benefits from the supportive group environment. |
Abstract
This study examined the effectiveness of oncology yoga and mindfulness-based meditation (OY and MB) intervention on sleep, fatigue, and quality of life in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. This study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, with a primary focus on quantitative analysis. The study was conducted from October 2021 to February 2022, involving 90 patients. Online OY & MB sessions were held over 12 weeks. Data were collected using the Brief Fatigue Inventory, Piper Fatigue Inventory, European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and a patient information form. Three focus group interviews were conducted online to collect qualitative data. The mean age of the patients was 50.57 Å} 10.74 years, and 50.0% were women. After the intervention, significant differences were observed in the post-test scores of Brief Fatigue (t = -5.22), Piper Fatigue (t = -3.72), Sleep Quality (t = -3.54), and Quality of Life (t = -3.41) in the intervention group (p < .001). Participants reported enhanced physical and psychological relaxation, a greater sense of well-being, and perceived benefits from the supportive group environment. Yoga and meditation may play a pivotal role in significantly ameliorating fatigue, sleep problems, and subjective conditions that adversely impact the quality of life of CRC patients. Medical challenges, technological limitations, and accessibility issues were also stated as difficulties in attending yoga and meditation practices. Cite this article as: Şengül, T., Oflaz, F., & Karadağ, A. (2026). Effects of online oncology yoga and mindfulness-based meditation on fatigue, sleep, and quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors: A mixed-methods study. Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing, 34, 0139, doi: 10.5152/ FNJN.2026.24139.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.