Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Complicated Grief Reactions in Old Age

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF AARHUS · Jan 4, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how effective two types of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are for older adults dealing with complicated grief after losing a loved one. Complicated grief can lead to severe feelings of sadness, anxiety, depression, and even symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. The trial aims to find out whether individual therapy or group therapy is better at helping these individuals cope with their grief and improve their overall well-being.

To participate in this study, you need to be at least 65 years old and have lost someone close to you, like a spouse or partner, at least six months ago. You should also be experiencing significant grief-related symptoms. If you join the study, you can expect to receive either individual or group therapy sessions, which will help you process your loss and learn coping strategies. This trial is important because it will help determine the best ways to support older adults struggling with grief, ultimately leading to better treatment options in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Age ≥ 65 years (older adult).
• • 2. Lost a loved one (e.g., spouse, partner) ≥ 6 months ago.
• • 3. Clinically relevant symptoms of one or more types of complicated grief reactions (i.e. symptoms of prolonged grief (PG-13 ≥ 29), depression (CESD-10 ≥ 10), anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 10), and/or posttraumatic stress (PCL ≥ 31)).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. No clinically relevant symptoms of one or more types of complicated grief reactions (i.e. symptoms of prolonged grief, depression, anxiety and/or posttraumatic stress).
• • 2. No informed consent given.
• • 3. Insufficient Danish proficiency.
• • 4. Inability to transport oneself to the clinic.
• • 5. Severe psychopathology (e.g., schizophrenia).
• • 6. Severe cognitive impairment (e.g., Alzheimer's disease).
• • 7. Substance abuse.
• • 8. Acute suicidal ideation.