Can a chaplain or therapist extend life in advanced cancer? large trial aims to find out
NCT ID NCT07290491
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 3 trial is testing whether adding chaplain-provided spiritual care or psychotherapy/meditation to standard palliative care can improve survival and quality of life in people with advanced, non-curable cancer. About 854 participants with a life expectancy of one year or less will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: standard care plus palliative measures, standard care plus chaplain spiritual sessions, or standard care plus psychotherapy/meditation. The study aims to see if emotional and spiritual support can make a real difference in how long patients live and how they feel.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- chaplain-provided spiritual care or psychotherapy/meditation
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could show that spiritual and emotional support alongside standard care helps people with advanced cancer live longer and feel better.
- What could go wrong
- This is a large phase 3 trial, but the intervention is behavioral, not a drug, so survival benefits may be modest or hard to prove. Results may not apply to all cancer types.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for CANCER are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center
RECRUITINGHouston, Texas, 77030, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- A good Night's sleep: could a simple program ease Cancer's toll on rest?
- Could sitting up make radiation therapy more comfortable?
- Can we predict dangerous side effects when combining radiation and immunotherapy?
- Family history as a shield: can culturally tailored guidance cut cancer risk?
- A simple screening program could transform cancer aftercare
- Can simple positive activities boost Well-Being in cancer care?