Mind-Body Medicine for Lymphoma

Overseen By Kathrin Milbury, MA,PHD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Major psychiatric, Cognitive deficits, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

Duration: 5 weeks

71 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on a mind-body intervention, so it's best to ask the trial coordinators for more details.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Mind-Body Medicine for Lymphoma?

Mind-body therapies, which include practices like meditation, yoga, and relaxation techniques, have been shown to improve the quality of life and mental health of cancer patients, including those with hematologic malignancies (blood cancers). These therapies help patients feel more optimistic and confident in managing their illness. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is mind-body medicine safe for humans?

Mind-body medicine, which includes stress reduction and lifestyle changes, has been used safely in various conditions like Crohn's disease and cancer. It is generally considered safe for humans, but it's always best to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How is Mind-Body Medicine treatment different from other lymphoma treatments?

Mind-Body Medicine is unique because it focuses on the connection between the mind and body to improve emotional and physical well-being, using techniques like meditation, yoga, and relaxation therapies. Unlike traditional treatments that target the disease directly, this approach aims to enhance overall health and manage stress, which can be beneficial alongside conventional cancer treatments. ^{1 5 11 12 13}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial studies how well a mind-body intervention works in improving overall quality of life in adolescents and young adults with lymphoma. A meditation based mind-body intervention may help lower distress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety in adolescents and young adults coping with lymphoma.

Research Team

Kathrin Milbury, MA,PHD

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young adults aged 18-39 recently diagnosed with any stage of Lymphoma. They should be relatively active (ECOG status 2 or below), have internet access, and be fluent in English. It's not suitable for those with major psychiatric issues or who are already in regular psychotherapy or cancer support groups.

Inclusion Criteria

Having access to the internet

Participants between the ages of 18-39 diagnosed within 6 months with stage I-IV Lymphoma (all types)

Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 2 or below

Exclusion Criteria

You are already attending regular therapy sessions or participating in a cancer support group.

Major psychiatric or cognitive deficits that would impede the completion of self-report instruments as deemed by the clinical team

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants attend meditation or educational group sessions once weekly for up to 5 weeks

5 weeks

5 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for psychological distress and cancer symptoms after treatment

12 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Mind-Body Medicine

Trial Overview The study tests a mind-body intervention that includes educational materials, meditation therapy, and questionnaires to see if it improves life quality by reducing distress, depression, and anxiety among young lymphoma patients.

Participant Groups

Group I: Group I (meditation) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Patients attend meditation group sessions over 75 minutes once weekly for up to 5 weeks.

Group II: Group II (educational) Active Control 2 Interventions

Patients attend educational group sessions over 75 minutes once weekly for up to 5 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,107

Recruited

1,813,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Findings from Research

A 10-week mind-body medicine program significantly reduced persistent fatigue in 68 breast cancer survivors, with fatigue scores improving by 40% after the intervention and sustained improvements observed at two and six months post-program.

The program demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing fatigue levels as measured by multiple scales, suggesting that holistic approaches can be beneficial for breast cancer survivors dealing with fatigue, warranting further investigation through randomized clinical trials.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fatigue in breast cancer survivors: the impact of a mind-body medicine intervention. Appling, SE., Scarvalone, S., MacDonald, R., et al.[2013]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mind-body medicine and cancer. [2008]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a Mindfulness Intervention on Hospitalized Patients With Hematologic Malignancies and Their Caregivers. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mind-Body Therapies in Childhood Cancer. [2019]

4. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Keeping the balance--an overview of mind-body therapies in pediatric oncology. [2013]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Recent Progress in Mind-Body Therapies in Cancer Care. [2023]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrative Approaches in the Treatment of Patients Affected by Lymphoma. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Complementary and alternative medicine use among long-term lymphoma survivors: a pilot study. [2021]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mind-body-medicine and comprehensive lifestyle-modification in patients with Crohn's disease-Feasibility of a randomized controlled trial under pandemic circumstances. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cancer, sleep problems, and mind-body medicine use: Results of the 2017 National Health Interview Survey. [2020]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fatigue in breast cancer survivors: the impact of a mind-body medicine intervention. [2013]

11. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Mind-body medicine in integrative uro-oncology : Studies and areas of application]. [2023]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mind-body therapies in integrative oncology. [2021]

13. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mind-body therapies: evidence and implications in advanced oncology practice. [2021]