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