Yoga and Brain Cancer: A Feasibility Study
Yoga and Brain Cancer: A Feasibility Study
This clinical trial studies yoga therapy in treating patients with malignant brain tumors. Yoga therapy may improve the quality of life of patients with brain tumors
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To estimate the participation rate, accrual, adherence, and retention to a yoga trial in patients with malignant brain tumors.
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To obtain estimates of the variability of self-reported fatigue, distress (i.e., depression, anxiety), sleep disturbance, cognitive function, and health-related quality of life from baseline to the end of the intervention at 6 (post-onsite intervention) and 12 weeks (post-full intervention).
II. To obtain preliminary estimates of the efficacy of a yoga intervention in patients with malignant brain tumors on the outcomes of fatigue, distress, and cognitive function.
III. To standardize the cancer-specific yoga protocol for use with brain tumor patients.
OUTLINE:
Patients participate in yoga classes comprising postures, deep relaxation, breathing practices, and meditation twice weekly for 75 minutes during weeks 1-6. Patients then practice yoga at home twice weekly for 45 minutes during weeks 7-12.
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up periodically for 4-5 months.
Inclusion Criteria:
Signed protocol specific informed consent Are diagnosed with a Malignant Brain Tumor (Grades II-IV) Able to start the on-site yoga intervention within 1 week of first radiation treatment Are physically able to attend the intervention classes (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] performance status rating 0-2) Able to understand written and spoken English Have no medical contraindications reported by the attending physician
Exclusion Criteria:
Have practiced yoga on a regular basis (at least once a week) within the past 4 weeks to recruit participants who are not already regularly practicing yoga; given that the benefits of yoga are likely more immediate than long-term, however, we will enroll participants who have previously had a yoga practice