Integrative Role of Yoga and Naturopathy in Cancer Rehabilitation: A Narrative Review

Cancer poses a significant global health challenge, with survivors often dealing with ongoing fatigue, pain, sleep issues, and psychological distress despite advances in traditional treatments. Integrative oncology has increasingly included yoga and naturopathy to address these complex needs and enhance quality of life. We conducted a narrative review of English-language studies indexed in PubMed and Scopus between 2000 and 2025, using the keywords “yoga,” “cancer-related fatigue,” “cancer,” “cancer-related quality of life,” “cytokines,” “naturopathy,” and “cancer rehabilitation.” We included randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, and reports on mechanistic or integrative programs in adult oncology populations; non-peer-reviewed, non-indexed sources were excluded. Yoga interventions, generally a mix of asanas, pranayama, and meditation, have been shown to reduce cancer-related fatigue and improve mood, sleep, and overall quality of life, especially in breast and mixed-cancer groups, with small-to-moderate effects noted in meta-analyses. Mechanistic studies reveal reductions in cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-1ra, indicating modulation of chronic inflammation and stress responses. Naturopathy-based programs, combining diet, hydrotherapy, massage, and lifestyle counseling, offer additional benefits in functional capacity, symptom relief, and patient-reported outcomes alongside conventional treatments. Overall, yoga and naturopathy are generally safe when properly adapted, with increasing feasibility for both group and home-based formats. Evidence supports yoga and emerging naturopathy-inclusive programs as safe, effective adjuncts for cancer rehabilitation, especially for fatigue, distress, sleep issues, and inflammation. Larger, mechanistically focused trials on combined yoga-naturopathy approaches are needed to improve personalization and implementation in routine cancer care.