Stress Reduction Program in Patients With Malignant Brain Tumors and Their Family Caregivers

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed malignant brain tumor of 1 of the following subtypes:
• * Anaplastic astrocytoma
• * Glioblastoma multiforme
• * Astrocytoma WHO grade IV
• * Malignant meningioma
• * Anaplastic oligodendroglioma
• * Anaplastic oligoastrocytoma
• * Gliosarcoma
• * Anaplastic ependymoma
• * Medulloblastoma
• Caregivers must meet the following criteria:
• * Primary family caregiver
• * Age 18 and over
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Karnofsky performance status 70-100%\*
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm³\*
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³\*
• Bilirubin ≤ 2 times normal\*
• Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2 times normal\*
• SGOT ≤ 3 times normal\*
• BUN or creatinine ≤ 1.5 times normal\*
• No other prior (within the past 3 years) or concurrent malignancies except for surgically cured carcinoma in situ of the cervix or nonmelanoma skin cancer\*
• Not pregnant\*\*
• Negative pregnancy test\*\*
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception\*\*
• No active infection\*\*
• No medical condition that would interfere with the practice of yoga and meditation\*\* NOTE: \*Patient
• NOTE: \*\*Patient and caregiver
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• No other prior or concurrent stress reduction techniques using yoga or meditation\*
• Concurrent standard or investigational chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, biologic agents, or other complementary and alternative therapies as the primary or adjuvant treatment allowed (patient)
• No concurrent glucocorticoids (caregiver)
• Concurrent dexamethasone allowed provided the daily dose is \< 2 mg/day (patient)
• No concurrent dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and/or melatonin supplements\* NOTE: \*Patient and caregiver