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

Purpose

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.

Conditions

  • Cancer Survivors
  • Cancer Survivorship

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

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

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Intervention Model Description
Randomized controlled trial pilot study, with a within-subject lead-in control period
Primary Purpose
Supportive Care
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Yoga 		Oncology-informed yoga
  • Behavioral: Oncology-informed yoga
    8 weekly sessions of cancer informed-yoga incorporating light movement, breathing techniques, and some meditation practices
Experimental
SMART 		Stress Management and Resiliency Training
  • Behavioral: SMART
    SMART, developed by the Impact Foundation, is an adaptation of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) approach that incorporates other elements like mindful self-compassion, emotional literacy, and positive psychology principles to address the unique stressors faced by teachers.

Recruiting Locations

Stony Brook University Cancer Center
Stony Brook, New York 11794
Contact:
Ravi Kanani
(631)-572-1923
Ravikumar.Kanani@stonybrookmedicine.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Barbara Nemesure

Study Contact

Stony Brook Cancer Center Clinical Trials
631-728-7425
CancerClinicalTrials@stonybrookmedicine.edu

Detailed Description

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.