This Project Grant award of $246,124 from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) under the Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research program (CFDA 93.394) supports the development of a personalized, patient-centered "BREATHS" system to improve the consistency and effectiveness of deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) techniques during radiation therapy for left-sided breast cancer patients.
The primary objectives are to refine and evaluate the BREATHS system, which uses video display glasses and a respiratory sensor belt to provide real-time visual feedback and coaching to patients on DIBH execution. A pilot randomized controlled trial with 24 left-sided breast cancer patients will assess the system's effectiveness in improving DIBH consistency, treatment duration, cardiac radiation dose, patient anxiety/fatigue, and overall acceptance by patients and radiation therapy teams. Successful outcomes could help mitigate the significant long-term cardiac toxicity risks associated with radiation therapy for breast cancer, which affects over 150,000 patients annually in the U.S.
Generated 3/25/25, 5:37 AM