Pilot trial of spiritual care for black patients with advanced cancer
Pilot Trial of Spiritual Care Interventions for Patients With Cancer
This study is testing whether spiritual care can improve the well-being and planning readiness of black patients with advanced cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 64 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Weill Medical College of Cornell University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Brooklyn, New York and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06811376 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot trial investigates the effects of spiritual care interventions on spiritual well-being and readiness for advance care planning among black patients with advanced cancer. The study involves a stratified block randomized controlled design, enrolling 64 patients from outpatient settings at two medical institutions. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two spiritual care intervention arms, with outcomes assessed two months after the intervention begins. The goal is to determine the feasibility of integrating spiritual care into outpatient oncology care for future larger trials.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are black or African American patients diagnosed with life-limiting advanced cancer who are fluent in English.
Not a fit: Patients who have received spiritual care from the medical system in the past two months or those who are too weak or cognitively impaired may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the spiritual well-being of patients and improve their engagement in advance care planning.
How similar studies have performed: While the integration of spiritual care in oncology is a growing field, this specific approach targeting black patients with advanced cancer is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosed with a life-limiting, advanced cancer. 2. Identifies racially as black or African American. 3. Is fluent in English. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Have received medical system-based spiritual care within the past 2 months. 2. Have already completed a DNR order. 3. Are too weak or cognitively impaired to engage in study activities
Where this trial is running
Brooklyn, New York and 1 other locations
- New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital — Brooklyn, New York, United States (Recruiting)
- The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston — Galveston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Paul K Maciejewski, Ph.D. — Weill Medical College of Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Madison K Pavao, B.S.
- Email: mkp4005@med.cornell.edu
- Phone: (646)962-5650
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.