QLIF-21. FEASIBILITY RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF A DYADIC YOGA PROGRAM FOR PATIENTS WITH BRAIN TUMORS UNDERGOING RADIOTHERAPY AND THEIR FAMILY CAREGIVERS

Abstract

The role of mind‐body medicine in the symptom and quality of life (QOL) management of glioma patients is largely unknown. Moreover, despite the high physical and psychological burden among family caregivers, the needs of caregivers generally remain unaddressed. Thus, we aimed to establish the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a Dyadic Yoga (DY) intervention. Adults with high grade glioma undergoing at least 5 weeks of radiotherapy (RT) and their family caregivers were included. Dyads were randomized to a 12‐session DY program focusing on breathing exercises, gentle movements and guided meditations or a waitlist control (WLC) group. Patients and caregivers in both groups completed measures of depressive symptoms (CESD), cancer‐related symptoms (MDASI) and overall QOL (SF‐36) at baseline and post‐DY, which was at the end of RT. Dyads in the yoga group also completed written program evaluations. We approached 36 dyads of which 21 (58%) consented with one dyad withdrawing prior to randomization. Patients (mean age: 46 yrs., 58% male, 68% KPS=90) and caregivers (mean age: 51 yrs., 68% female, 50% spouses) and completed a mean of 11.67 sessions (range: 10‐12), and all of them completed baseline and follow‐up assessments. We examined differences scores separately for patients and caregivers for each outcome using ANCOVA controlling for participants' age, sex, and patient KPS. The yoga group revealed marginally significant reductions in depressive symptoms in patients (p