The effect of combined Pilates and yoga training on insulin and leptin level in breast cancer survivors: A randomized clinical trial

Context: Elevated levels of insulin and leptin can be associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. A safe and effective exercise protocol seems necessary as an adjuvant therapy in breast cancer patients. Aims: This study aimed to assess the effect of concurrent yoga and Pilates training on insulin and leptin in breast cancer survivors. Setting and Design: This study was a randomized clinical trial research with control group in a selected oncology and radiotherapy center in Rasht, Iran, in 2019. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was performed on thirty breast cancer survivors. The participants were allocated in exercise group (n = 15) and control group (n = 15) by simple randomly. Exercise group underwent 12 weeks of concurrent yoga and Pilates training, 3 sessions/week and 75 min of workout in each session. Every participant completed the demographic questionnaire. Weight, insulin, leptin, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) levels were measured before and after 12 weeks of exercise in both groups. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANCOVA, and paired t-test and Wilcoxon. Results: Mean score of weight in the exercise group decreased from 73.03 +/- 16.75 to 69.92 +/- 15.46 (P = 0.01), but in control group, there was no significant improvement (from 85.54 +/- 11.7 to 85.27 +/- 9.71). There was a significant decrease in leptin levels (from 33.70 +/- 15.93 to 21.21 +/- 15.37) in exercise group (P = 0.02). However, there was no significant effect on insulin (from 7.66 +/- 2.96 to 10.67 +/- 4.51), CEA, and CA 15-3 (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Twelve weeks of concurrent yoga and Pilates training have positive effects on leptin levels in breast cancer survivors.