Inclusion Criteria

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