Meditation-Based Breathing Training in Improving Target Motion Management and Reducing Distress in Patients With Abdominal or Lung Cancer Undergoing Radiation Therapy

This randomized pilot clinical trial studies the effects of meditation-based breathing training on patients' control of their breathing patterns and breathing-related movement, as well as on their psychological distress and treatment experience during radiation therapy. Meditation-based breathing training may decrease breathing-related movement and the amount of stress by improving breathing patterns in patients with abdominal or lung cancer undergoing radiation therapy.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate the influence of regular breathing cycles using breathing relaxation techniques on efficacy of the respiratory-gated treatment as measured by: (1) real-time position management (RPM) parameters; (2) end inspiration or expiration length; (3) changes in gate width.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate the effect of breathing relaxation techniques on: (1) psychosocial outcomes; (2) treatment compliance.

OUTLINE:

PHASE I: Patients and staff members complete structured interviews at baseline.

PHASE II: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM I: Patients participate in 3 50-minute breathing training sessions, including a psycho-educational component and meditation-based breathing training, over 10 days. Patients then undergo four dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) on day 14 and undergo image-guided stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) or standard radiation therapy 5 times a week for up to 5 fractions or 25 fractions, respectively.

ARM II: Patients receive standard care over 10 days. Patients then undergo 4D-CT on day 14 and undergo image-guided SBRT or standard radiation therapy 5 times a week for up to 5 fractions or 25 fractions, respectively.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 2 or 5 weeks.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* PHASE I - PATIENTS: All patients with abdominal tumors who have undergone at least 4 respiratory-gated radiotherapy treatments
* PHASE I - PATIENTS: Full comprehension of English language
* PHASE I - STAFF: All staff who have overseen the delivery of respiratory-gated radiotherapy for at least 6 months
* PHASE I - STAFF: Full comprehension of English language
* PHASE II: All patients with abdominal or lung tumors undergoing a respiratory gating simulation
* PHASE II: Karnofsky performance status \> 60%
* PHASE II: Life expectancy \> 3 months
* PHASE II: No prior radiotherapy to the abdomen/lung
* PHASE II: Full comprehension of English language

Exclusion Criteria:

* PHASE I - PATIENTS: Inability to comprehend English language interview questions
* PHASE I - STAFF: Inability to comprehend English language interview questions
* PHASE II: Karnofsky performance status \< 60%
* PHASE II: Prior radiotherapy to the abdomen/lung
* PHASE II: Evidence of progressive or untreated gross disease outside of the abdomen/lung
* PHASE II: Inability to comprehend English language breathing exercise instructions
* PHASE II: Concurrent diagnosis of a significant respiratory disorder which requires the use of oxygen