Yoga app for patients receiving chest radiation and their family caregivers

Dyadic Yoga Program for Patients Undergoing Thoracic Radiotherapy and Their Family Caregivers: The Testing of a Mobile Application Delivery

This test tries a mobile app that delivers an unsupervised yoga program for people getting thoracic radiation and their family caregivers to see if it is usable and acceptable.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Houston, Texas)
• Trial ID: NCT06919874 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The project develops and tests an app-based dyadic yoga program delivered on iOS and Android for patients undergoing thoracic radiotherapy and their family caregivers. In part 1, investigators will do usability testing with 10 patient-caregiver dyads to finalize the working prototypes and identify navigation or functionality problems. In part 2, they will run a single-arm feasibility pilot with 20 new dyads measuring consent and retention rates, adherence, usability, and acceptability, and will collect pre/post measures of objective physical function and self-reported quality of life. Semi-structured interviews will provide qualitative feedback on participants' experiences using the app and participating in the program.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with non-small cell lung or esophageal cancer scheduled to receive at least 24 fractions of thoracic radiotherapy, with ECOG performance status <2, an English-speaking family caregiver willing to join, and regular access to high-speed internet are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with cognitive deficits that prevent completing questionnaires, medical contraindications to exercise, those who were regularly practicing yoga in the prior year, or those without English ability or reliable internet are unlikely to benefit from this app-based program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the app could provide an accessible way for patients and caregivers to do guided yoga at home during thoracic radiation, potentially improving symptoms and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: In-person yoga programs for cancer patients and caregivers have shown quality-of-life benefits, but app-based, dyadic delivery during thoracic radiotherapy is largely untested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Be diagnosed with a non-small cell lung cancer or esophageal cancer and going to receive at least 24 fractions thoracic RT
2. Have an ECOG performance status of \<2
3. Have a family caregiver (e.g., spouse, sibling, adult child) willing to participate

Both patient and caregiver must meet all the following criteria:

1. Be \>18 years old
2. Be able to read and speak English
3. Be able to provide informed consent
4. Have regular (self-defined) access to Wi-Fi/High speed internet access

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Experiences cognitive deficits that would impede the completion of self-report instruments as deemed by their attending oncologist
2. Experiences contraindications to exercise as determined by the clinical team
3. Regularly (self-defined) participants in a yoga program in the year prior to diagnosis

Participants who participated in part 1 are ineligible to participate in part 2 of this protocol.

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas

• The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center — Houston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Kathrin Milbury, MA,PHD — M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
• Study coordinator: Kathrin Milbury, MA,PHD

Conditions Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer