Yoga Therapy in Treating Patients With Malignant Brain Tumors

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To estimate the participation rate, accrual, adherence, and retention to a yoga trial in patients with malignant brain tumors. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To obtain estimates of the variability of self-reported fatigue, distress (i.e., depression, anxiety), sleep disturbance, cognitive function, and health-related quality of life from baseline to the end of the intervention at 6 (post-onsite intervention) and 12 weeks (post-full intervention). II. To obtain preliminary estimates of the efficacy of a yoga intervention in patients with malignant brain tumors on the outcomes of fatigue, distress, and cognitive function. III. To standardize the cancer-specific yoga protocol for use with brain tumor patients. OUTLINE: Patients participate in yoga classes comprising postures, deep relaxation, breathing practices, and meditation twice weekly for 75 minutes during weeks 1-6. Patients then practice yoga at home twice weekly for 45 minutes during weeks 7-12. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up periodically for 4-5 months.