Relaxation and stress-reduction using yoga or mindfulness for cancer survivors
Official title: Pilot Study of a Social/Behavioral Intervention on Cancer Survivors, Evaluating the Effect of Mind Body Interventions on Patient Reported Outcomes, Inflammation and Epigenetics.
Run by Stony Brook University · NCT07161713 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Stony Brook University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, immunotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Stony Brook, New York) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 17, 2025 |
| Main results expected | September 17, 2027 |
| Study ends | September 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 20, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07161713 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: Previous trials have shown yoga and mindfulness improve quality of life in cancer survivors, but effects on epigenetic markers remain exploratory and less established.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
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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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.