Yoga in Relieving Fatigue in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

- Examine the effectiveness of a restorative yoga (RY) intervention vs home yoga practice
in patients undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.

Secondary

- Examine the effectiveness of RY vs home yoga practice on depression, distress, and sleep
quality in these patients.

- Examine the acute (pre- and post-yoga class) effects in these patients.

- Test the feasibility of using behavioral strategies to enhance yoga intervention
adherence.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

- Arm I (restorative yoga intervention): Patients attend 45-minute group yoga classes
every 3 weeks on the days they are scheduled for chemotherapy for approximately 5-6
sessions. Patients are provided with a yoga DVD, a manual with photos and written
descriptions/guidance to practice yoga postures at home, and basic yoga equipment (yoga
mat, strap, block, yoga blankets) and instructed to practice to the DVD 3 times per week
(twice weekly during week of group yoga class) for ≥ 45 minutes. Patients record yoga
practice time/activity at the third yoga session of each week.

- Arm II (home yoga practice): Patients are provided with a yoga DVD, a manual with photos
and written descriptions/guidance to practice yoga postures at home, and basic yoga
equipment (yoga mat, strap, block, yoga blankets) and instructed to practice to the DVD
3 times per week for ≥ 45 minutes. Patients record yoga practice time/activity at the
third yoga session of each week.

All patients complete questionnaires at baseline, at weeks 9, 18, and 22. Self-report
measures include Distress Thermometer, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Center for
Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory, Functional
Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Ovarian, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy
(FACIT) - Spiritual Subscale, FACIT- Fatigue Subscale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Women's
Health Initiative Insomnia Rating Scale, Medical Outcome Study-Social Support Survey,
Integrative Medicine Use, Pre- and Post- Class Ratings, and Intervention Feedback .

After completion of study, patients are followed at 4 weeks.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Diagnosis of ovarian cancer

- Any stage disease

- Must be between 2-24 months post-primary treatment (surgery) following initial
diagnosis and/or have a recurrence of ovarian cancer within the past 24 months
(irrespective of current treatment status)

- Began a new chemotherapy treatment regimen within the past 4 weeks or planning to
begin new chemotherapy treatment regimen within the next 4 weeks

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- ECOG performance status 0-2

- Physically able to attend the intervention classes

- Able to understand written and spoken English

- Agree to keep psychiatric medications and doses stable during study intervention

- No medical contraindications reported by the attending physician

- No bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychotic depression, or any other psychotic
disorder

- No usage of illicit drugs

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- See Disease Characteristics

- More than 3 months since prior yoga practice