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TC-16

Global applicability of meridian yoga for the improvement of neuropathic

pain in breast cancer survivors: a single-blind randomised controlled trial

2
1
4
5
Chia‑Lin Tsai, Ping Chuang, Chih-Ying Liao, Ying-Yu Chen, Ting-Yi Liao, Huang-
3
Wei Lo, Yu‑Huei Liu, * Ching‑Liang Hsieh *
+, ,8,9,10
6
+, ,#,2,5,6

1 Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
2 Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
3 Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
4 Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
5 Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, China Medical University Hospital,
Taichung, Taiwan
6 Drug Development Centre, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
7 Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
8 Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
9 Chinese Medicine Research Centre, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
10 Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
+ These authors contributed equally to this study
* E-mail: yuhueiliu@mail.cmu.edu.tw; clhsieh0826@gmail.com

Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a disabling complication in breast
cancer survivors, with limited effective and accessible treatment options. We conducted a
single-centre, assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial in 80 stage I–III breast cancer
survivors with CIPN, in which participants were randomised to meridian yoga plus standard
care or standard care alone for eight weeks. Meridian yoga, which combines classical postures
with meridian-based stretches, requires minimal equipment and is adaptable to low-resource
settings. Compared with controls, the meridian yoga group achieved greater reductions in
neuropathic pain (NPSI-T −26 ± 17 vs −3 ± 16; P < 0.001) across all domains, with peripheral
perfusion index normalisation in those with abnormal baseline circulation (P = 0.028 for high,
P = 0.005 for low) and significant gains in spleen and bladder meridian energy, meridian balance,
and overall bioenergetic indices (all P ≤ 0.05). The levels of salivary cortisol and IL-6 remained
unchanged. No serious adverse events were observed. These findings demonstrate that meridian
yoga is a safe, feasible, and globally scalable intervention for CIPN survivorship care, with
potential physiological markers for monitoring therapeutic responses.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy; Neuropathic pain;
Meridian yoga