Breathing Practice for Brain and Mental Health in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Launched by MAYO CLINIC · Jan 17, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how breathing exercises can improve brain and mental health for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and various types of cancer, as well as their caregivers. Researchers believe that the way we breathe can affect how well oxygen gets to the brain and how our body functions, which is especially important for people dealing with serious health issues. By participating, patients and their caregivers may find out if these breathing practices can help them feel better both physically and mentally.

To be eligible for the trial, participants should be physically fit enough to do light exercise and have access to a smartphone or tablet. They should also be able to read and understand English to follow the study's instructions. The trial is currently recruiting participants aged between 65 and 1045, including both cancer patients and those with MS, along with their caregivers. Participants can expect to engage in respiratory training and have their oxygen delivery and other health measures monitored. It’s important to note that certain medical conditions, such as heart disease or severe mental health issues, may prevent someone from participating.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • STUDY 1: Participants must be physically fit enough to perform light exercise.
• • STUDY 1: Should read and understand English well enough to consent, complete measures, and follow instructions.
• • STUDY 1: Must have access to a smartphone or tablet.
• • STUDY 2: Participants must be physically fit enough to perform light exercise.
• • STUDY 2: Cancer patients may have prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumor, or brain cancer in any stage.
• • STUDY 2: The main focus is on pairs of cancer patients and their respective caregivers, but individual cancer patients or individual caregivers are also acceptable.
• • STUDY 2: Participants should read and understand English well enough to consent, complete measures, and follow instructions.
• • STUDY 2: They also must have access to a smartphone or tablet.
• • STUDY 3: Participants must be physically fit enough to perform light exercise.
• • STUDY 3: The patient should have multiple sclerosis.
• • STUDY 3: Participants should read and understand English well enough to consent, complete measures, and follow instructions.
• • STUDY 3: They also must have access to a smartphone or tablet.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • STUDY 1: Participants incompatible with MRI machines due to factors such as pacemakers or metallic implants.
• • STUDY 1: Additionally, those with chronic medical conditions, including 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' disease, essential tremor and Parkinson disease) are excluded.
• • STUDY 1: Participants with psychiatric conditions such as psychosis, suicidality, bipolar disorder, major depression, and substance use disorders are excluded.
• • STUDY 1: Participants serving as caregivers for any of the aforementioned conditions and for other illnesses such as cancer or neurological disorders, are also excluded.
• • STUDY 1: Further exclusions apply to those with severe vision, hearing impairments, have a body mass index (BMI) over 30, and those who are pregnant.
• • STUDY 1: Those planning to become pregnant during the study period will be excluded.
• • STUDY 2: Participants incompatible with MRI machines due to factors such as pacemakers or metallic implants are excluded, as are those with chronic lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease \[COPD\], cystic fibrosis), aneurysms, and those who are pregnant.
• • STUDY 2: Those planning to become pregnant during the study period will be excluded.
• • STUDY 3: Participants incompatible with MRI machines due to factors such as pacemakers or metallic implants are excluded, as are those with chronic lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease \[COPD\], cystic fibrosis), aneurysms, and those who are pregnant.
• • STUDY 3: Those planning to become pregnant during the study period will be excluded.