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

This study is exploring how breathing exercises might improve brain and mental health for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and different types of cancer, as well as their caregivers. You would participate in breathing sessions and walking routines. Researchers will collect blood samples, administer questionnaires, and perform MRI scans (Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a type of scan that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of organs and structures inside your body). The main goal is to see if better breathing function leads to changes in brain activity over a period of up to 6 months. This study aims to enroll 147 participants aged 18 to 85 who are physically fit enough for light exercise and can use a smartphone or tablet.

Study design: This is an interventional study with 147 planned participants, divided into three studies. In Study 1, participants are randomly assigned to groups that engage in breathing self-practice routines using a mobile app.
What's involved: You would participate in breathing self-practice routines daily for 30 minutes for 4 to 6 months, potentially with online or in-person sessions. You would also undergo blood sample collection, MRI scans, and complete questionnaires.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: Your respiratory function and brain activity will be measured at the beginning of the study and up to 6 months later.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

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

Recruiting

NAAges 18–85InterventionalSupportive care

Mayo Clinic

~147 participants

Updated 2026-06-10 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:Biospecimen CollectionExercise InterventionMagnetic Resonance ImagingQuestionnaire AdministrationRespiratory Therapy

At a glance

Recruiting sites

1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

Changes in respiratory function correlated with brain activity

Measured over Baseline up to 6 months

Conditions

Malignant Brain Neoplasm

Malignant Solid Neoplasm

Multiple Sclerosis

Neuroendocrine Tumor

Prostate Carcinoma

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states

Minnesota1

Study leadership

Paul H. Min, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Who to contact

Clinical Trials Referral Office

[email protected]

855-776-0015

Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

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

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.

What this trial measures

Changes in respiratory function correlated with brain activityBaseline up to 6 months
Assessed using advanced imaging techniques (such as MRI) and physiological analyses. The approach to data analysis will involve a detailed examination of the MRI data collected from each participant. Respiratory data will be correlated with neuroimaging findings to provide a comprehensive view of how respiratory patterns may influence brain activity.

Trialytics