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Clinical trial Recruiting at 2 sites Interventional Ages 18 and up

Pilot trial of spiritual care for black patients with advanced cancer

Official title: Pilot Trial of Spiritual Care Interventions for Patients With Cancer

Run by Weill Medical College of Cornell University · NCT06811376 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing whether spiritual care can improve the well-being and planning readiness of black patients with advanced cancer.

More Advanced Cancer trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment64 (estimated)
SponsorWeill Medical College of Cornell University
Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Brooklyn, New York and 1 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedFebruary 13, 2025
Main results expectedApril 1, 2027
Study endsApril 1, 2027
Registry record updatedMarch 25, 2026
Trial IDNCT06811376 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are black or African American patients diagnosed with life-limiting advanced cancer who are fluent in English.

Probably 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.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

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.

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 gone: 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.

Who can join: the full rules

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 it's running

  • 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

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.