Once the hard decisions have been made about how to treat a patient’s cancer, doctors face an even more difficult question: how do you help patients deal with the side effects of treatment The issue is a challenge for physicians because, unlike with cancer therapies, there are few scientific studies on the most effective ways to handle the side effects—including common symptoms such as poor sleep or fatigue. But addressing these seemingly common complications (并发症) is crucial for helping patients maintain their regular lifestyle, which in turn may even encourage the success of their cancer treatment. That’s why Dr. Karen Mustian of the University of Rochester Medical Center decided to put a favorite practice of cancer survivors—yoga—to the test. In a paper she will present at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (肿瘤学) (ASCO) annual meeting in June, Mustian designed a standardized program based on hatha yoga—a slow-moving form of the discipline—and tested its effect on improving the quality of life for cancer survivors. Called YOCAS, the four-week program involved sessions of hatha yoga twice a week for 75 minutes each, in combination with breathing exercises and meditation (冥想). Among the 410 participants, who were divided into yoga and traditional follow-up care groups, those practicing yoga recorded nearly double the improvement in sleep quality and reduction of fatigue compared to those not practicing yoga. They also reported better quality of life overall, Mustian says. For cancer physicians, the findings will be a welcome addition to their discussions with patients. "Many patients ask about complementary (互补的) therapies, whether they are exercise or meditation or yoga," says Dr. Douglas Blayney, medical director of the comprehensive cancer center at University of Michigan and president of ASCO. "I often don’t know what to tell them because there isn’t a lot of science on these complementary therapies. Here is a scientific study showing benefit, so at least we can have some assurance in telling women that here is a yoga program, here are its characteristics and it has been shown to have beneficial effects on sleep and quality of life." Mustian designed a standardized program ________.