Virtual Yoga for Insomnia in Cancer Survivors

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+1 other location

Overseen byKaren Mustian, PhD, MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Rochester

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?This feasibility phase II randomized controlled trial examines the preliminary efficacy of our standardized four-week YOCAS©® (Yoga for Cancer Survivors) intervention that is delivered virtually on insomnia and sleep quality in cancer survivors. Insomnia can be described as excessive daytime napping, difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, or waking up earlier than desired. The vast majority of patients with cancer experience some form of sleep impairment post-treatment. Yoga is safe, feasible, and effective for improving insomnia and sleep quality in cancer survivors. However, most of the yoga intervention was delivered in person. With the challenges and the social distancing regulation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting to virtual behavioral intervention is critically important and needed. Whether the yoga intervention delivered virtually to survivors provides a similar benefit of improving insomnia and sleep quality is unknown.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for cancer survivors who've finished their surgery, chemo, or radiation between 2 months and 10 years ago. They must have trouble sleeping, be over 18, speak English, and can use the internet with a device. They shouldn't have sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome, be doing yoga already or plan to start it outside of the study.

Inclusion Criteria

I have had surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy for my cancer.

I often have trouble sleeping.

I finished my cancer treatment between 2 months and 10 years ago.

+6 more

Exclusion Criteria

I am a cancer survivor without sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome.

My cancer has not spread to distant parts of my body.

If you have had cancer and want to participate in the study, you should not have done yoga in the past three months.

+3 more

Participant Groups

The study tests if virtual YOCAS©® yoga helps improve sleep in cancer survivors compared to standard care. Participants are randomly placed into two groups: one does four weeks of online yoga sessions; the other continues regular care without yoga.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: YOCASExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Cancer survivors receive 8 virtual yoga sessions (75 minutes/session, 2 times a week for 4 weeks) delivered via an electronic platform (e.g., Zoom)

Group II: Standard CareActive Control1 Intervention

Cancer survivors receive their standard care