Yoga for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Overseen By Kathrin Milbury, MA,PHD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Mind-body practice, CNS metastasis

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 15 sessions

400 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial studies how well dyadic yoga intervention works in improving physical performance and quality of life in patients with stage I-IV non-small cell lung or esophageal cancer undergoing radiotherapy and their caregivers. Dyadic yoga intervention may help to improve physical function, fatigue, sleep difficulties, depressive symptoms, and overall quality of life for patients with non-small cell lung cancer and/or their caregivers.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is yoga safe for people with cancer, including those with lung cancer?

Yoga has been studied in cancer patients, including those undergoing radiotherapy, and is generally considered safe. It has shown benefits in reducing stress and improving mood without significant safety concerns. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the Dyadic Yoga Intervention treatment different from other treatments for non-small cell lung cancer?

The Dyadic Yoga Intervention is unique because it involves partner-supported yoga, which aims to improve both psychosocial and physical function, enhancing quality of life for lung cancer patients. Unlike traditional treatments that focus on directly targeting cancer cells, this approach emphasizes mind-body practices to support overall well-being and is delivered in a supportive, couple-based format. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Dyadic Yoga Intervention for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?

Research shows that yoga can improve physical and mental health in cancer patients, and it may help lung cancer patients maintain their quality of life by reducing declines in physical and psychosocial function. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kathrin Milbury, MA,PHD

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients with stage I-IV non-small cell lung or esophageal cancer who are about to undergo at least 3 weeks of thoracic radiotherapy. They must be able to perform daily activities (ECOG <=2), speak English, and consent. Caregivers can join optionally if they're adults, speak English, and give consent. People practicing mind-body techniques in the past year or with brain metastases cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

I can take care of myself but might not be able to do heavy physical work.

I have lung or esophageal cancer and will undergo 3 weeks of chest radiation.

Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

I have regularly practiced mind-body techniques like meditation or yoga before my diagnosis.

My cancer has spread to my brain or spinal cord.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo dyadic yoga intervention or dyadic education program for up to 15 sessions, each lasting 60 minutes

15 sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

6 months

Every 2 weeks for 3 months, then monthly for up to 6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Dyadic Yoga Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests a dyadic yoga program's effectiveness on improving physical performance and life quality for both patients undergoing radiotherapy for certain cancers and their caregivers. It includes assessments through questionnaires and an educational component alongside the yoga intervention.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Group I (dyadic yoga) Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Patients and caregivers undergo dyadic yoga intervention session involving physical exercises and relaxation techniques over 60 minutes each for up to 15 sessions.

Group II: Group II (dyadic education) Active Control 3 Interventions

Patients and caregivers undergo dyadic education program session focusing on strategies of how to manage patient and caregiver symptoms over 60 minutes each for up to 15 sessions.

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Yoga significantly reduces distress, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, indicating its potential as a supportive therapy during treatment.

While yoga shows moderate benefits for fatigue and emotional function, the evidence for its effects on overall psychological outcomes and functional well-being is limited, suggesting the need for further research with larger sample sizes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Utilizing Yoga in Oncologic Patients Treated with Radiotherapy: Review. Tolia, M., Tsoukalas, N., Nikolaou, M., et al.[2022]

A one-on-one yoga therapy session delivered via telehealth significantly reduced physical and global distress in cancer patients, with notable improvements in anxiety and fatigue, based on data from 95 patient encounters.

The study highlights the potential of yoga therapy as an effective complementary treatment in oncology, suggesting that even a single session can lead to meaningful symptom relief, warranting further research on long-term benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Yoga Therapy in Cancer Care via Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Mallaiah, S., Narayanan, S., Wagner, R., et al.[2022]

A 12-week pilot trial involving 46 patients with lung cancer showed that a low-moderate intensity yoga program significantly improved psychosocial outcomes like fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbance in 54% of participants, along with quality of life improvements in 77%.

The study also found that physical functions such as flexibility and strength improved in a high percentage of participants, with no serious adverse events reported, suggesting that partner-supported yoga could be a safe and beneficial complementary therapy during cancer treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and potential benefits of partner-supported yoga on psychosocial and physical function among lung cancer patients. Sullivan, DR., Medysky, ME., Tyzik, AL., et al.[2022]

A 14-week yoga intervention was feasible for 7 survivors of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with participants able to practice without respiratory distress and maintaining over 95% attendance.

The yoga program led to significant improvements in mood, sleep quality, and overall quality of life, along with a decrease in salivary cortisol levels, suggesting potential benefits for cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A pilot study of the feasibility and outcomes of yoga for lung cancer survivors. Fouladbakhsh, JM., Davis, JE., Yarandi, HN.[2014]

The Vivekananda Yoga intervention was found to be feasible and acceptable for lung cancer patients and their caregivers, with 60% of participants completing the program and 95.5% rating it as very useful.

Significant improvements were observed in patients' mental health and caregivers' sleep disturbances, indicating potential benefits for quality of life outcomes, although further research is needed to confirm these effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vivekananda Yoga Program for Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer and Their Family Caregivers. Milbury, K., Mallaiah, S., Lopez, G., et al.[2022]

In a study of 68 breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, an integrated yoga program significantly reduced anxiety and depression levels, as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), while the control group experienced increased anxiety and depression.

Although both groups showed elevated radiation-induced DNA damage after treatment, the yoga group exhibited slightly less DNA damage compared to the control group, suggesting that yoga may help mitigate some of the negative effects of radiotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of an integrated yoga program in modulating psychological stress and radiation-induced genotoxic stress in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Banerjee, B., Vadiraj, HS., Ram, A., et al.[2022]

Yoga interventions for adults undergoing cancer treatment have been shown to significantly improve psychological outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and distress, based on a review of 21 studies.

There is emerging evidence that yoga may also enhance quality of life and alleviate physical symptoms like sleep disturbances and fatigue, although more research is needed to confirm these benefits and explore specific areas of efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Review of yoga therapy during cancer treatment. Danhauer, SC., Addington, EL., Sohl, SJ., et al.[2021]

Citations

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

Utilizing Yoga in Oncologic Patients Treated with Radiotherapy: Review. [2022]

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

Yoga Therapy in Cancer Care via Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic. [2022]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and potential benefits of partner-supported yoga on psychosocial and physical function among lung cancer patients. [2022]

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

A pilot study of the feasibility and outcomes of yoga for lung cancer survivors. [2014]

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

Vivekananda Yoga Program for Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer and Their Family Caregivers. [2022]

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

Effects of an integrated yoga program in modulating psychological stress and radiation-induced genotoxic stress in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. [2022]

7. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Review of yoga therapy during cancer treatment. [2021]