CPAP versus deep inspiration breath hold to reduce lung tumor motion during SBRT

Measuring the Effectiveness of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Device to Reduce Tumor Motion and Increase Lung Volume Expansion in Patients Undergoing Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) for Tumors That Move With Respiration

Not applicable Interventional M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · NCT03422302

This test compares whether a CPAP breathing device or holding a deep breath better reduces tumor movement during SBRT for people with lung cancer.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorM.D. Anderson Cancer Center Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsRadiation
Locations1 site (Houston, Texas)
Trial IDNCT03422302 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot Phase I/II trial compares continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) as methods to reduce tumor motion during stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Patients receive CT simulation scans during free breathing, DIBH, and CPAP (with BiPAP if CPAP exhalation is difficult), and physicians generate and compare treatment plans from each method. If CPAP/BiPAP is chosen, patients wear the device before and during SBRT; otherwise they are treated with DIBH or free breathing. Secondary measures include time efficiency, patient tolerance, reproducibility of lung expansion and motion reduction, and dosimetric effects on tumor coverage and normal tissue sparing.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with lung tumors scheduled to receive SBRT at MD Anderson who can consent and are able to tolerate CPAP or DIBH are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to CPAP/BiPAP (recent facial surgery, facial trauma or burns), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, inability to cooperate or consent, pregnant women, and prisoners are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce tumor motion during SBRT, allowing tighter treatment margins and potentially less radiation to healthy lung tissue.

How similar studies have performed: DIBH is an established technique for motion control, while use of CPAP for reducing lung tumor motion has only limited pilot data and is less well tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* The patient will receive stereotactic body radiotherapy in the Thoracic Radiation Oncolcogy Service at MD Anderson.

Exclusion Criteria:

* The patient has a contra-indication for using a CPAP device.
* The patient has not signed a study-specific informed consent for this study.
* The patient is uncooperative.
* The patient has reduced consciousness.
* The patient has sustained trauma or burns to the face.
* The patient has undergone any facial, esophageal, gastric or sinus surgery within the last 3 months.
* The patient has idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) as documented in their medical history.
* Adults who are unable to consent, individuals who are not yet adults, pregnant women and prisoners will be excluded from this study.

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Lung CarcinomaMalignant Respiratory Tract NeoplasmMetastatic Malignant Neoplasm in the Lung
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.