Actively Recruiting
LiverPAL: A Randomized Trial of Inpatient Palliative Care for Patients With Advanced Liver Disease
Led by Massachusetts General Hospital · Updated on 2025-07-17
200
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether adding early palliative care to usual hepatology treatment can improve the quality of life, physical symptoms, mood, and communication about serious illness for hospitalized patients with advanced liver disease, including cirrhosis and related complications. This study compares usual liver disease care alone to usual care combined with early involvement of palliative care specialists. The goal is to see if this approach enhances symptom management and end-of-life care for patients and their families. The study has two groups: one receiving standard hepatology care and the other receiving standard care plus early palliative care. The palliative care team focuses on managing symptoms, supporting coping, improving understanding of illness and prognosis, and coordinating care through hospital stays and transitions. The intervention is behavioral and involves integrating palliative care early during hospitalization. Participants will be assessed for quality of life using the FACIT-Pal tool up to 4 weeks and followed for up to 6 months to monitor symptoms, depression, anxiety, and communication about end-of-life preferences. Researchers will also review documentation of patient care preferences after death for up to 5 years. The study involves regular evaluations during hospitalization and follow-up periods to understand how early palliative care affects patient experiences and outcomes.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
LiverPAL: A Trial of Inpatient Palliative Care for Patients With Advanced Liver Disease
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Hospitalized patient with advanced liver disease, including cirrhosis plus one of: ascites requiring diuretics or paracenteses, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatic hydrothorax requiring diuretics, variceal bleeding, or overt hepatic encephalopathy requiring medications
- Ability to understand English
- Adult caregiver (18 years or older) who is a relative or friend identified by the patient, likely to be present during hospitalizations or appointments, or willing to participate by phone
- Caregiver able to understand English and complete questionnaires
You will not qualify if you...
- Prior liver transplantation
- Uncontrolled hepatic encephalopathy, cognitive impairment, psychiatric disorder, or other conditions preventing informed consent
- Current or recent history (within 5 years) of extrahepatic cancer treatment, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer
- Hepatocellular carcinoma beyond Milan criteria
- Already receiving hospice care
- Score less than 10 on the Simplified Animal Naming Test
- Caregiver unable to understand English
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Duration - Duration of hospitalization
Participants receive usual hepatology care with or without early involvement of palliative care clinicians to manage symptoms, support coping, and coordinate care during their hospital stay.
1 hospitalization period with clinical interactions
Duration - Up to 6 months
Participants are assessed for quality of life, symptom burden, psychological symptoms, and end-of-life care communication for up to 6 months after hospitalization.
Periodic assessments during follow-up
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
G
Grace Bizup, BA
W
William Munroe, BA
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
2
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