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

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