SBU-RESET: RElaxation, Stress Reduction and Epigenetics Trial in Cancer Survivors

Pilot Study of a Social/Behavioral Intervention on Cancer Survivors, Evaluating the Effect of Mind Body Interventions on Patient Reported Outcomes, Inflammation and Epigenetics.

Cancer survivors can experience health issues that cause chronic illness and lower quality of life. Yoga is a well-known holistic approach to health and overall well-being. Mindfulness has many benefits, including improved focus and less stress. This study aims to evaluate if yoga and/or mindfulness has a positive effect on cancer survivors social, emotional and physical well-being as well as their epigenetics. Epigenetics is how the environment can effect your genes; not by changing our DNA, but by turning genes on or off.

Randomized interventional pilot study to evaluate whether a mind-body intervention (Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) or (oncology-informed yoga) influences patient-reported Quality of life (QoL) outcomes (physical/social/emotional/ functional well-being and symptom burden) in cancer survivors. A secondary (exploratory) aim is to evaluate whether these mind-body interventions impact epigenetics.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults over 18 years old
• Primary diagnosis: Lung Cancer, Colon Cancer and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL)
• Six months post cancer-directed treatment (chemotherapy, targeted and immunotherapy). Patients with active disease (e.g. metastatic colorectal cancer) who are not receiving any cancer-directed treatment are eligible.
• Able to provide a saliva sample
• Gives informed consent and agrees to be randomly assigned
• Able to complete the questionnaire(s) in English.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Adults with primary anal and/or primary rectal cancer.
• Adult cancer survivors who are currently on an active treatment regimen.
• Oral or any pathological conditions that can limit the ability to produce saliva.
• Unable to participate in full length study period and follow up thereafter.
• Is pregnant or plan to become pregnant during the study period.
• Currently practicing yoga or SMART
• Those on corticosteroid therapy.
• Documented fall or syncope within the last 6 months