Pilot randomized, controlled trial of a dyadic yoga program for glioma patients undergoing radiotherapy and their family caregivers. Issue 4 (20th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Milbury, Kathrin; Li, Jing; Weathers, Shiao-Pei; Mallaiah, Smitha; Armstrong, Terri; Li, Yisheng; Bruera, Eduardo; Cohen, Lorenzo
• Is Part Of: Neuro-oncology practice. Volume 6:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 311
• Page End: 320
• Publication Date: 2018-12-20
• Subjects: glioma -- patient-caregiver dyads -- pilot randomized -- controlled trial -- quality of life -- yoga; Brain -- Tumors -- Periodicals; Brain -- Cancer -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Cancer -- Periodicals; 616.99481005
• DOI: 10.1093/nop/npy052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2054-2577

Abstract

Abstract: Background: While the use of behavioral medicine in managing glioma patients' symptoms is not well studied, the high symptom burden in patients and their family caregivers is well established. We conducted a pilot randomized, controlled trial to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a dyadic yoga (DY) intervention as a supportive care strategy. Methods: Glioma patients undergoing radiotherapy and their caregivers were randomized to a 12-session DY or waitlist control (WLC) group. Prior to radiotherapy and randomization, both groups completed measures of cancer-related symptoms (MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Brain Tumor module), depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression measure), fatigue (Brief Fatigue Inventory), and overall quality of life (QOL; Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short-form survey). Dyads were reassessed at the last day of radiotherapy. Results: Twenty patients (mean age: 46 years, 50% female, 80% WHO grade IV and caregivers (mean age: 50 years, 70% female, 50% spouses) participated in the trial. A priori feasibility criteria were met regarding consent (70%), adherence (88%), and retention (95%) rates. Controlling for relevant covariates, change score analyses revealed clinically significant improvements for patients in the DY compared with the WLC group for overall cancer symptom severity ( d = 0.96) and symptom interference ( d = 0.74), depressive symptoms ( d = 0.71), and mental QOL ( d = 0.69). Caregivers in the DY group reported clinically significant improvements in depressive symptoms ( d = 1.12), fatigue ( d = 0.89), and mental QOL ( d = 0.49) relative to those in the WLC group. Conclusion: A DY intervention appears to be a feasible and beneficial symptom and QOL management strategy for glioma patients undergoing radiotherapy and their caregivers. An efficacy trial with a more stringent control group is warranted. Clinical Trial Number: NCT02481349