Stress Reduction Program in Patients With Malignant Brain Tumors and Their Family Caregivers

• Quality of life as measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 Items (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Brain Cancer Module-20 [ Time Frame: 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

• Decrease in perception of stress and anxiety in patients and their primary family caregivers as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale and Beck Anxiety Inventory questionnaires [ Time Frame: 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Decrease in stress- and inflammation-related hormones in patients and their primary family caregivers as measured by saliva samples [ Time Frame: 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

Behavioral: exercise intervention
All participants will convene once per week for 8 weeks for a 90-minute session that will be based on yoga principles for a stress reduction.
Other Name: Yoga
Other: educational intervention
A 15-minute educational session on a particular topic (mind-body connection; fight or flight response; relaxation response; the science and philosophy of yoga; the science of meditation; sleeping well; mindfulness; the healer within - how to harness your innate healing potential).
Other: physiologic testing
Both patients and family caregivers will complete Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) questionnaires.
Other Name: questionnaire
Other: management of therapy complications
Brain Cancer module-20 questionnaire to assesses problems specific to brain tumor.
Other Name: questionnaire
Behavioral: mind-body intervention procedure
Meditation practice in this study will consist of 15 minutes of "body scan" to completely relax the body from head to toe and will be followed by 15 minute silence during which the study participants will maintain awareness of their breath, bodily sensations and thoughts as they spontaneously arise. The remainder of the class will be devoted to a group discussion of personal reflections and challenges.
Other Name: Meditation
Procedure: Measurement of stress-related hormones
Measurements of stress-related hormones: Stress hormones cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and melatonin will be measured in saliva because their levels in saliva accurately reflect blood levels (Carlson et al, 2004). The non-invasive saliva collection method by cotton swabs (Salivette® by Sardstedt Inc.) will be used in this study.
Other Name: salivary samples

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

• Determine whether regular practice of a stress reduction program for 8 weeks improves the quality of life of patients with malignant brain tumors.

Secondary

• Determine whether regular practice of a stress reduction routine decreases perception of stress and anxiety and stress- and inflammation-related hormones in both patients with malignant brain tumors and their primary family caregivers.

OUTLINE: This is a pilot study.

Patients and caregivers receive a 90-minute stress-reduction session once a week for 8 weeks. Each session comprises an educational session on stress reduction and yoga therapy comprising specific yoga postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation and meditation.

Quality of life, stress, anxiety, and levels of stress-related hormones (cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEAS], and melatonin) are assessed at baseline and at week 8.

After completion of study treatment, patients and caregivers are followed at 6 and 12 months.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 14 caregiver/patient pairs will be accrued for this study.