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Clinical Trials/NCT07386444
NCT07386444
Recruiting
Not Applicable

Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training Among Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Active Treatment (IMACT)

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center1 site in 1 country58 target enrollmentStarted: February 16, 2026Last updated:

Overview

Phase
Not Applicable
Status
Recruiting
Enrollment
58
Locations
1
Primary Endpoint
Maximum inspiratory pressure

Overview

Brief Summary

This clinical trial studies whether breathing exercises for the muscles that help with breathing air in, inspiratory muscle training (IMT), works to improve breathing muscle strength, shortness of breath, and physical activity levels in women who are receiving chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer (BC). Cancer and/or treatments for BC can directly result in muscle wasting that involves breathing muscles, skeletal muscles or heart muscles. Pain, weakness, shortness of breath, and side effects of cancer treatment may lead to lower physical activity levels. IMT involves breathing exercises using a small hand-held device. The device makes it a little harder to breathe in, which may help strengthen breathing muscles. IMT may be an effective way to improve breathing muscle strength, shortness of breath, and physical activity levels in women who are receiving chemotherapy for early-stage BC.

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 8 weeks of IMT on inspiratory muscle strength, exertional dyspnea, and physical activity levels among women undergoing chemotherapy for BC.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM 1: Patients complete three sets of fifteen repetitions per session of low-intensity IMT over 15-20 minutes four days a week for 8 weeks.

ARM 2: Patients complete three sets of fifteen repetitions per session of high-intensity IMT over 15-20 minutes four days a week for 8 weeks.

Study Design

Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel
Primary Purpose
Supportive Care
Masking
Single (Participant)

Masking Description

Participants will be blinded to the intervention.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages
18 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
Sex
Female
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • Within 3 weeks of starting chemotherapy for an early-stage breast cancer diagnosis
  • Able to exercise independently without needing support
  • Ability to read, speak, understand English

Exclusion Criteria

  • Metastatic breast cancer
  • Unwilling or unable to follow protocol requirements
  • Any significant health condition which in the investigator's opinion increases the risks of participation or makes the participant unsuitable for the study

Arms & Interventions

Arm 1 (low-intensity IMT)

Active Comparator

Patients complete three sets of fifteen repetitions per session of low-intensity IMT over 15-20 minutes four days a week for 8 weeks.

Intervention: Inspiratory muscle training (Behavioral)

Arm 2 (high-intensity IMT)

Experimental

Patients complete three sets of fifteen repetitions per session of high-intensity IMT over 15-20 minutes four days a week for 8 weeks.

Intervention: Inspiratory muscle training (Behavioral)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Maximum inspiratory pressure

Time Frame: Baseline to 8 weeks

Measure of the strength of the inspiratory muscles. Units: cm H20

Secondary Outcomes

  • Physical activity levels(Baseline to 8 weeks)
  • Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea scale rating(Baseline to 8 weeks)
  • Dyspnea 12 score(Baseline to 8 weeks)
  • RAND-36 Quality of life(Baseline to 8 weeks)
  • FACIT-F(Baseline to 8 weeks)

Investigators

Sponsor Class
Other
Responsible Party
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator

Dharini Bhammar

Principal Investigator

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Study Sites (1)

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