Therapeutic potential of yoga nidra for chemo brain: a complementary and integrative perspective

Abstract

Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI), commonly known as “chemo brain,” affects a significant proportion of cancer survivors, manifesting as memory deficits, reduced attention, and impaired executive function. Conventional pharmacological treatments offer limited efficacy, prompting interest in complementary, non-invasive interventions. Yoga nidra (YN), a structured form of guided yogic relaxation, has demonstrated potential benefits for neurocognitive and emotional regulation. Grounded in ancient Indian traditions and increasingly supported by modern neuroscientific findings, YN appears to influence brainwave activity, autonomic function, and stress-related biomarker mechanisms implicated in the pathophysiology of CICI. This perspective review explores the emerging role of YN in managing chemo brain, integrating insights from neuroimaging, cognitive neuroscience, and psychophysiology. Drawing on peer-reviewed literature from PubMed- and Scopus-indexed sources, the article highlights the need for further research, including functional imaging and biomarker-based studies, to elucidate its therapeutic mechanisms. The findings underscore YN's potential as an adjunctive tool within integrative oncology and neurorehabilitation frameworks.

Keywords

chemo brain / yoga nidra / neurocognitive function / mind-body intervention / functional neuroimaging / stress-related neuroplasticity

Author contributions

Santosh Kumar Sahu (Conceptualization, Investigation, Visualization, Writing—original draft, Writing—review & editing), and Ajit Kumar Pradhan (Supervision, Writing—review & editing).

Conflicts of interest

We declare no conflicts of interest.

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