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

Overview

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.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. Patient quality of life (QOL) and perceptions of spiritual support measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplant (FACT-BMT), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Spiritual Well-Being (FACIT-SP-12), and Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality (BMMRS). II. Changes in QOL and spiritual support measured at baseline (start of conditioning to day \[D\]-1), D0, D+15 (+/- 2 days), D+30 (+/- 3 days), D+90 (+/- 5 days), and D+180 (+/- 10 days) post-transplant. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. Time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment. II. Rates of transplant complications, including infusion reaction, infections, and graft versus host disease (GVHD) from baseline (start of conditioning) to 180 days post-transplant. III. Overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) baseline from (start of conditioning) to 365 days post-transplant. EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES: I. Between-group differences in cytokine and inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-2 receptor, IL-12, interferon (IF)-gamma, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17, IL-8, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-1β, IL-10 (cytokine panel 13) from baseline (start of conditioning to D-1), D0, D+15 (+/- 3 days), and D+30 (+/- 5 days) post-transplant will be performed in 15 patients who undergo allogeneic transplant only. II. Assessment of whether the blessing's effect differs by demographic subgroup (sex, race/ethnicity, and baseline spiritual affiliation), addressing potential disparities in spiritual care outcomes. OUTLINE: 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. After completion of study intervention, patients are followed up at day +15, +30, +90, and +180.