Actively Recruiting
Enhancing Brain and Mental Health Through Respiratory Training in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Disease Care for Patients and Caregivers
Led by Mayo Clinic · Updated on 2025-12-30
147
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the effects of respiratory training on brain and mental health in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and cancer, as well as their caregivers. The study focuses on how breathing affects oxygen delivery to brain tissues, cerebrospinal fluid flow, cardiovascular effects, and mental well-being. This research aims to understand the biological links between respiration and symptoms such as fatigue and emotional states, and to develop breathing support tools to help patients and caregivers during treatment. Participants are assigned to one of three studies involving breathing or walking exercises using a mobile app for 30 minutes daily over several months. Some take part in real-time online or in-person breathing sessions with instructors weekly or monthly. The study includes groups practicing breathing alone, walking alone, or a combination of both, with some participants undergoing MRI scans and blood sample collection. Study periods can last 4 months with possible extensions to 6 months depending on the group. During the study, participants complete questionnaires related to quality of life, sleep, fatigue, caregiver strain, and resilience. Researchers monitor adherence to breathing protocols and measure changes in respiratory function correlated with brain activity. MRI scans, blood collections, and other assessments track health changes over time. The total participation period can extend up to 6 months, with ongoing safety and health evaluations throughout.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Breathing Practice for Brain and Mental Health in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Participants must be physically fit enough to perform light exercise.
- Participants should read and understand English well enough to consent, complete measures, and follow instructions.
- Participants must have access to a smartphone or tablet.
- Cancer patients may have prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumor, or brain cancer in any stage.
- The focus includes pairs of cancer patients and their caregivers, but individual patients or caregivers can also participate.
- Patients should have multiple sclerosis for the MS study group.
- Age between 18 and 85 years.
You will not qualify if you...
- Participants incompatible with MRI machines due to pacemakers or metallic implants.
- Participants with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease (coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, cancer, diabetes, sleep apnea, aneurysms, and neurological conditions (epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, essential tremor, Parkinson disease).
- Participants with psychiatric conditions including psychosis, suicidality, bipolar disorder, major depression, and substance use disorders.
- Caregivers for individuals with the aforementioned conditions or other illnesses like cancer or neurological disorders.
- Participants with severe vision or hearing impairments.
- Participants with a body mass index (BMI) over 30.
- Pregnant participants or those planning to become pregnant during the study period.
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 4 months
Participants engage in daily self-practice routines using a mobile app for breathing or walking exercises. Weekly real-time online breathing sessions and monthly in-person breathing sessions with instructors may be offered. Participants in walking groups may attend weekly in-person group walking sessions. This stage lasts for 4 months.
Weekly online breathing sessions and monthly in-person breathing sessions for breathing groups; weekly in-person group walking sessions for walking groups
Duration - 2 months
Depending on group assignment, participants continue breathing or walking self-practice routines daily for an additional 2 months, with continued access to weekly online and monthly in-person breathing sessions as applicable. Participants undergo MRI scans and, for some MS patients, blood sample collection during this time. Some participants discontinue breathing practice but continue monitoring.
Weekly online breathing sessions and monthly in-person breathing sessions for breathing groups; weekly in-person group walking sessions for walking groups; ongoing MRI scans and blood sample collection for applicable participants
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 55905
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
Clinical Trials Referral Office
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
7
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