Blessing Stem Cells to Improve Spiritual Well Being and Quality of Life for Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

NCT07835841 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 2 other identifiers: OSU-25212NCI-2026-06504
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This clinical trial evaluates the impact of blessing stem cell products before infusion on spiritual well-being and quality of life for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Stem cell transplantation represents a transformative medical and personal journey for patients and families. For stem cell transplantation (SCT) recipients, higher levels of spiritual well-being correlate with reduced anxiety and depression, greater hope, and improved emotional stability. Because quality of life often declines after SCT, spiritual support becomes crucial. This trial uses a culturally adaptable, standardized blessing that is personalized to align with each patient's faith tradition or personal belief system that may improve spiritual well-being and quality of life for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Conditions

Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm; Malignant Solid Neoplasm

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Quality of life

  Assessed using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplant. Will be compared between intervention and control groups over time using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) or linear mixed effects models, with group × time interaction terms.

  From baseline up to 180 days post-transplant

• Spiritual support

  Assessed via Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Spiritual Well-Being and Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality. Compared between intervention and control groups over time using repeated-measures ANOVA or linear mixed effects models, with group × time interaction terms.

  From baseline up to 180 days post-transplant

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Time to neutrophil engraftment

  From transplant to 180 days post-transplant

• Time to platelet engraftment

  From transplant to 180 days post-transplant

• Infusion reactions

  From baseline to 180 days post-transplant

• Infection

  From baseline to 180 days post-transplant

• Hospitalizations

  From baseline to 180 days post-transplant

Study Arms (1)

Supportive care (spiritual blessing of stem cells)

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients complete a pre-transplant discussion with the chaplaincy staff to discuss spiritual preferences. Patients choose whether to receive a chaplain-led blessing of their stem cells before infusion. The blessing intervention will consist of a standardized core script delivered immediately prior to stem cell infusion with optional additions that are tailored to the patient's stated spiritual or religious tradition. The spiritual leader performing the blessing will be matched, when possible, to the patient's spiritual tradition. For patients who do not identify with a faith tradition, the chaplain will offer a meaning-centered blessing focused on hope, healing, and gratitude for the transplant process.

Other: Electronic Health Record Review; Procedure: Spiritual Therapy; Other: Survey Administration

Interventions

Spiritual Therapy PROCEDURE

Complete pre-transplant discussion

Supportive care (spiritual blessing of stem cells)

Survey Administration OTHER

Ancillary studies

Supportive care (spiritual blessing of stem cells)

Electronic Health Record Review OTHER

Ancillary studies

Supportive care (spiritual blessing of stem cells)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adults (≥ 18 years) undergoing autologous or allogeneic SCT
• English proficiency (verbal and written)
• Willing to engage in spiritual care discussions

You may not qualify if:

• Patients opting to have blessings performed privately (non-study chaplain)
• Cognitive impairment or psychiatric instability

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States

Location

Related Links

• The Jamesline

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Spiritual Therapies

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics

Study Officials

• Srinivas S Devarakonda

  Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

CONTACT

800-293-5066; OSUCCCClinicaltrials@osumc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 17, 2026
• First Posted: September 23, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Last Updated: September 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Locations

US (1)