Home-based Respiratory Muscle Training for Minimizing Side Effects in Patients Undergoing Treatment for Breast Cancer
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
This clinical trial evaluates whether home-based respiratory muscle training is useful for minimizing side effects in patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Over-activation of the nervous system during breast cancer treatment can result in heart- and lung-related side effects which have the potential to reduce a patient's quality of life. Aerobic exercise can help prevent the development of these side effects. However, engaging in regular aerobic exercise may be difficult for breast cancer patients who are actively undergoing treatment. Respiratory muscle training (RMT) involves a series of breathing and other exercises that are performed to improve the function of the respiratory muscles through resistance and endurance training. Home-based RMT may represent a more feasible approach for reducing side effects in patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Documented breast cancer and scheduled to receive adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy * Age \>= 18 years old * Cognitively capable of following direction and performing the intervention * Able to speak, read and comprehend English language * Understand the investigational nature of this study and sign an Independent Ethics Committee/Institutional Review Board approved written informed consent form prior to receiving any study related procedure Exclusion Criteria: * Have uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, heart failure or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements * Prior radiation to the left chest wall * Patients with medical frailty (clinical discretion) * Are pregnant or nursing * Unwilling or unable to follow protocol requirements * Any condition which in the Investigator'