New program aims to ease tough End-of-Life talks for cancer patients
NCT ID NCT07428278
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests a program called ROCKS that helps people with advanced cancer and their family caregivers build optimism, communication skills, and knowledge to discuss advance care planning. 152 patient-caregiver pairs will be randomly assigned to the ROCKS program or usual care (a standard advance directive form). The goal is to see if the program increases completion of advance directives and improves emotional well-being.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- ROCKS resilience-building program
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a simple way to help patients and families have difficult conversations about future care, reducing anxiety and improving quality of life.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial testing feasibility and preliminary effects. The program may not significantly improve advance care planning or emotional outcomes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 152 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2026
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Eligible patients will (1) be ≥ 18 years of age; (2) be diagnosed with stage 3 or 4 cancer; and (3) have a family caregiver who is willing to participate. * Eligible family caregivers will be ≥ 18 years of age. All participants must be able to read, write, and speak English with minimal assistance from others and have access to the internet on a smartphone, laptop, or computer. Exclusion Criteria: * Patient participants will be ineligible if they have (1) a Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) score \< 8; or (2) have completed any form of advance directive.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Illinois Chicago
RECRUITINGChicago, Illinois, 60607, United States
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