Actively Recruiting
Accelerated Resolution Therapy for Early Maladaptive Grief: A Clinical Trial
Led by Mayo Clinic · Updated on 2025-09-25
440
Participants Needed
4
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
M
Mayo Clinic
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the effects of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) on pre-loss grief and prolonged grief disorder in older adult family caregivers. The study aims to understand how ART may help alleviate maladaptive grief before bereavement and prevent prolonged grief disorder afterwards. It also seeks to explore cognitive changes and factors that predict response to ART among grieving individuals. This clinical trial randomly assigns primary caregivers of immediate family members enrolled in hospice or palliative care to receive either four weekly sessions of ART or four sessions of an educational and emotional support program matched for time and attention. ART is a brief psychotherapeutic approach designed to reduce distress related to anticipated loss and refocus attention on the relationship rather than the loss. Participants will be assessed at enrollment, after the four-session intervention, and then at six and thirteen months post-bereavement. A subgroup will participate in interviews to explore cognitive changes. The researchers will measure changes in pre-loss grief and prolonged grief disorder using clinical scales to evaluate the potential benefits of ART as a first-line or preventive treatment. The total participation duration spans over a year with multiple evaluation points.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Accelerated Resolution Therapy for Early Maladaptive Grief
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Primary caregiver of an immediate family member with a life expectancy of less than 12 months
- Score of 30 or higher on the PG-12-R indicating clinically significant pre-loss grief
- Denial of suicidal ideation or intent, with no evidence of psychotic behavior
- Age 60 years or older
You will not qualify if you...
- Participation in trauma-based psychotherapeutic treatments (e.g., EMDR, prolonged exposure therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy) since becoming a caregiver
- Presence of major psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia
- Score greater than 2 on the adapted CAGE questionnaire indicating alcohol or drug dependence
- Cognitive impairment with more than 4 errors on the SPMSQ test
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.
screening and enrollment visit
Duration - 4 weeks
Participants receive four weekly sessions of either Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) or a standardized social work intervention focused on information and emotional support to address pre-loss grief.
4 weekly visits (in-person or remote depending on protocol)
Duration - Up to 13 months post-bereavement
Participants are assessed at 6 and 13 months post-bereavement to evaluate changes in prolonged grief disorder and related clinical measures.
2 follow-up visits
Trial Site Locations
Total: 4 locations
1
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85054
Actively Recruiting
2
Suncoast Hospice
Clearwater, Florida, United States, 33760
Actively Recruiting
3
Mayo Clinic Florida
Jacksonville, Florida, United States, 32224
Actively Recruiting
4
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 55905
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
K
Katharine E Sheffield, MA, CCRP
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
2
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