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

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of improved respiratory function on local tissue oxygen delivery and cerebral circulation, by comparing control and training groups. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: I. To identify key biological aspects of breathing related to brain health and mental well-being, our research explores how respiratory function can improve clinical symptoms related to fatigue and emotional states. EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVE: I. To establish a clinically applicable support tool that uses effective breathing practice to help patients, and their caregivers better navigate their clinical treatment. OUTLINE: Participants are assigned to 1 of 3 studies. STUDY 1: Participants are randomized to 1 of 2 groups. GROUP 1: Participants engage in breathing self-practice routines using a mobile app over 30 minutes daily for 4 months on study. Participants may participate in real-time online breathing sessions with instructors weekly on study. Participants may also participate in in-person breathing sessions with instructors monthly on study. At month 4, participants are randomized to 1 of 2 subgroups. SUBGROUP 1: Participants engage in breathing self-practice routines using a mobile app over 30 minutes daily for an additional 2 months on study. Participants may participate in real-time online breathing sessions with instructors weekly on study. Participants may also participate in in-person breathing sessions with instructors monthly on study. Participants also undergo MRI scans throughout the study. SUBGROUP 2: Participants discontinue breathing self-practice routines for the additional 2 months on study. Participants also undergo MRI scans throughout the study. GROUP 2: Participants engage in walking self-practice routines using a mobile app over 30 minutes daily for 4 months on study. Participants may also participate in in-person group walking session with other participants weekly on study. At month 4, participants are randomized to 1 of 2 subgroups. SUBGROUP 3: Participants engage in walking self-practice routines using a mobile app over 30 minutes daily for an additional 2 months on study. Participants may also participate in in-person group walking session with other participants weekly on study. Participants also undergo MRI scans throughout the study. SUBGROUP 4: Participants engage in walking self-practice routines using a mobile app over 30 minutes daily for an additional 2 months and also engage in breathing self-practice routines using a mobile app over 30 minutes daily for 2 months on study. Participants may also participate in in-person group walking session with other participants weekly on study. Participants may participate in real-time online breathing sessions with instructors weekly on study. Participants may also participate in in-person breathing sessions with instructors monthly on study. Participants also undergo MRI scans throughout the study. STUDY 2: Cancer patients and their caregivers engage in breathing self-practice routines using a mobile app over 30 minutes daily for 4 months on study. Participants may participate in real-time online breathing sessions with instructors weekly on study. Participants may also participate in in-person breathing sessions with instructors monthly on study. Participants also undergo MRI scans throughout the study. STUDY 3: MS patients engage in breathing self-practice routines using a mobile app over 30 minutes daily for 4 months on study. Participants may participate in real-time online breathing sessions with instructors weekly on study. Participants may also participate in in-person breathing sessions with instructors monthly on study. At month 4, participants are randomized to 1 of 2 subgroups. SUBGROUP 5: MS patients engage in breathing self-practice routines using a mobile app over 30 minutes daily for an additional 2 months on study. Participants may participate in real-time online breathing sessions with instructors weekly on study. Participants may also participate in in-person breathing sessions with instructors monthly on study. Patients also undergo MRI scans and blood sample collection throughout the study. SUBGROUP 6: MS patients discontinue breathing self-practice routines for the additional 2 months on study. Patients also undergo MRI scans and blood sample collection throughout the study.