Relaxation and stress-reduction using yoga or mindfulness for cancer survivors
Pilot Study of a Social/Behavioral Intervention on Lung, Colon, and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) Cancer Survivors, Evaluating the Effect of Mind Body Interventions on Patient Reported Outcomes, Inflammation and Epigenetics.
This study will test whether oncology-informed yoga or SMART mindfulness training can improve well-being and change epigenetic markers in adult survivors of lung, colon, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cancers.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Stony Brook University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, immunotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Stony Brook, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT07161713 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a randomized interventional pilot trial assigning eligible adult survivors to oncology-informed yoga, SMART (Stress Management and Resiliency Training), or comparison to measure impacts on quality of life and symptom burden. Patient-reported outcomes will cover physical, social, emotional, and functional well-being, and saliva samples will be collected for exploratory epigenetic analysis. Enrollment is limited to adults at least six months after cancer-directed treatment or those off therapy who can provide saliva and complete questionnaires in English. The intervention is delivered at Stony Brook University Cancer Center with monitoring for adherence and safety.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults (18+) who survived lung, colon, or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer, are at least six months post–cancer-directed treatment or off therapy, can provide saliva, and can complete English questionnaires.
Not a fit: Patients currently receiving active cancer treatment, those with primary anal or rectal cancers, pregnant individuals, those unable to produce saliva, or those who already practice yoga or SMART are unlikely to benefit or are ineligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants could experience improved physical and emotional quality of life and the study could reveal favorable changes in gene regulation related to stress.
How similar studies have performed: Previous trials have shown yoga and mindfulness improve quality of life in cancer survivors, but effects on epigenetic markers remain exploratory and less established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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
Where this trial is running
Stony Brook, New York
- Stony Brook University Cancer Center — Stony Brook, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Barbara Nemesure, PhD — Stony Brook University
- Study coordinator: Stony Brook Cancer Center Clinical Trials
- Email: CancerClinicalTrials@stonybrookmedicine.edu
- Phone: 631-728-7425
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.