Assessing and Addressing Spiritual Needs in Palliative Care Patients
Official title: Implementing Spiritual Care in Inpatient Palliative Care
Run by University Hospital Muenster · NCT06206551 · Data updated 2026-05-14
This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.
This study is trying to see how well spiritual care helps patients in palliative care, like those with cancer or heart failure, by looking at their spiritual needs and the support they receive.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Hospital Muenster Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Muenster, North Rhine-Westphalia) |
| Trial ID | NCT06206551 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include patients with progressive diseases and limited life expectancy who are receiving palliative care and can comprehend and complete the Spiritual Needs Questionnaire.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with severe cognitive impairments or those unable to comprehend the German language may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to identify the spiritual needs of patients receiving palliative care for conditions such as cancer, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Utilizing the Spiritual Needs Questionnaire, the study will systematically document spiritual care interventions provided by pastoral care personnel at Muenster University Hospital. Data will be collected both retrospectively and prospectively to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of these spiritual care efforts. The goal is to ensure that patients' spiritual needs are recognized and addressed in a timely manner.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the quality of life for palliative care patients by ensuring their spiritual needs are met.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of addressing spiritual needs in palliative care is recognized, this specific implementation using the Spiritual Needs Questionnaire is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * All individual indication for general and specialised Palliative Care in clinical setting/routine (e.g.): * Progressive, malign tumours * Progressive, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease * Patients with progressive disease and limited life expectancy (\< ca. 12 months) * Patients attended by Palliative Caregivers in counselling services or on palliative ward * Life expectancy \> 2 weeks * Sufficient comprehension of German language and writing that allows an autonomous or supported completion of the questionnaire. * Existence of an independently signed written consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Severe cognitive impairment * capacity for consent lacking or impaired * impaired comprehension of German language and writing that would not allow an autonomous or supported completion of the questionnaire.
Where it's running
-
University Hospital Muenster
Muenster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Philipp Lenz, Prof. Dr. med. — University Hospital Muenster
- Study coordinator: Philipp Lenz, Prof. Dr. med.
- Email: philipp.lenz@ukmuenster.de
- Phone: +49 (0)251 8353052
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.