Bereavement Support Program for Grief

Overseen By Marina Ivanyuk, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Pregnant, Psychiatric illness, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

Duration: 6 months

50 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

To provide a palliative bereavement support program for caregivers to decrease the risk for developing complicated and persistent grief.

Research Team

Marina Ivanyuk, MD

Principal Investigator

New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for informal caregivers, aged 18 or older, who are looking after patients receiving end-of-life care from Palliative Care services in a hospital. Participants must speak English. It's not suitable for those caring outside of these settings.

Inclusion Criteria

I am currently in the hospital or emergency department and have been referred to end-of-life care.

Caregivers for patients who die at the hospital are included in this study

Exclusion Criteria

I am a caregiver or under 18 years old.

Caregivers with high depression scores on the PHQ-9 (>20)

Pregnant caregivers

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Baseline

Participants complete baseline questionnaires and are randomized into groups

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive supportive care through either vocal expression or cognitive-behavioral techniques over 8 sessions

6 months

8 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in bereavement and depressive symptoms

6 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Cognitive Behavioral
• Vocal Expression

Trial Overview The study tests a bereavement support program that uses vocal expression and cognitive behavioral techniques to help caregivers cope with grief after the loss of their loved ones.

Participant Groups

Group I: Cognitive Behavioral Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Cognitive-behavioral techniques with sessions consisting of approximately 20-30 minutes.

Group II: Vocal Expression Active Control 1 Intervention

Supportive care through vocal expression sessions where participants can talk for approximately 20-30 minutes about the person who died.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation

Lead Sponsor

Trials

33

Recruited

8,500+