RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Coping After Loss Through Mindfulness in Adults With Prolonged Grief Disorder

This study is exploring whether an 8-week mindfulness training program can help adults aged 18-60 who are experiencing prolonged grief. Prolonged grief is when strong feelings of sadness and longing continue for a very long time after someone has died. Researchers want to see if mindfulness can reduce symptoms like feeling constantly stressed, sad, or having physical problems. They'll also look at how the body and brain react to stress before and after the training. This research hopes to understand how mindfulness might work to help people cope better with the lasting effects of losing a loved one.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Hospital, Caen

Enrolment target

Start

01 Aug 2023

Estimated completion

31 Jul 2026

Prolonged Grief Disorder

What is this study about?

Losing someone you love is incredibly hard, and it's normal to grieve. However, sometimes these powerful feelings of sadness, longing, and focus on the loss can continue for a very long time, making it difficult to carry on with daily life. This condition is called Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD). When someone has PGD, reminders of the person they lost can cause a strong stress reaction, which can affect both mental and physical health over time. At the moment, we don't have many specific ways to help reduce this intense, ongoing stress related to grief.

This study wants to explore if an 8-week mindfulness training program could be a new way to help people with PGD. Mindfulness involves learning to focus on the present moment and observe thoughts and feelings without judgment, which has been shown to help calm general stress in other situations. Researchers will be looking to see if this training can reduce the symptoms of prolonged grief, including physical problems and feelings of distress. They also want to understand if mindfulness changes how the body and brain respond to stress related to the loss of a loved one.

The main aim is to see if mindfulness training can make a real difference in how severe PGD symptoms are, and if it can help the body and brain become less reactive to grief-related stress. This is the first study of its kind to look at mindfulness for PGD in this specific way. If it proves helpful, it could open doors for new ways to support people struggling with prolonged grief.

Key takeaways

This study explores mindfulness for prolonged grief.
It aims to reduce grief symptoms and stress reactions.
Participants will receive 8 weeks of mindfulness training.
Brain scans will help understand how mindfulness works.
It's for adults aged 18-60 with Prolonged Grief Disorder.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for men and women between the ages of 18 and 60. To join, you must have experienced the loss of someone close, like a partner, parent, child, or close friend. You also need to have been diagnosed with Prolonged Grief Disorder based on specific medical assessments.

There are certain reasons why someone might not be able to join the study. For example, if you have a history of certain mental health conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, or if you've had a recent drug or alcohol problem. It's also not suitable for those who regularly practice mind-body techniques like yoga, are currently having grief therapy, or are left-handed. Pregnant women or those who can't have an MRI scan also can't take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 60 years old?
Have you lost a close loved one (partner, parent, child, sibling, or close friend)?
Have you been diagnosed with Prolonged Grief Disorder?
Do you currently not do regular mind-body practices (like yoga) or grief therapy?
Do you not have a history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or recent drug/alcohol issues?
Can you have an MRI scan?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will start an 8-week mindfulness training program straight away. The other group will be on a waiting list for 12 weeks before they receive the same training. This helps researchers compare the effects of the training directly.

Throughout the study, you'll have several visits. You'll be checked for grief symptoms and physical responses at the beginning, halfway through, at the end of the training, and again one month later. During some of these visits (at the beginning and end), you'll also have special brain scans (MRI) to see how your brain reacts to different stress cues. These cues might involve imagining situations related to the person you lost or hearing loud noises. There are no new medications involved in this study, only the mindfulness training.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer various benefits. You might find the mindfulness training helps you manage your grief symptoms and reduce stress reactions. Even if you're in the waiting list group, you'll eventually receive the training which could be helpful. However, please be aware that there's no guarantee the training will help everyone, and you might find discussing your grief challenging at times. The brain scans involve being in an MRI machine, which is generally safe but can be noisy and confined. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time and for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

CHU de Caen et Université de Caen Normandie - Centre Esquirol Adult Psychiatry
Verified postcode
Caen, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is Prolonged Grief Disorder?

It's when intense grief and longing for someone who died continues for a very long time, making it hard to live your life, beyond what's expected after a loss.

What is mindfulness training?

Mindfulness training teaches you to focus on the present moment, observe thoughts and feelings without judgment, and use techniques like meditation to reduce stress.

Will I get the mindfulness training straight away?

You might start the 8-week training immediately, or you might be placed on a 12-week waiting list before you begin, as this is a random process.

What does a 'brain scan' involve?

It involves having an MRI scan, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of your brain. It's usually a painless procedure.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes, you can decide to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your ongoing medical care or relationship with your doctor.

How to find out more

BUI

bui-th@chu-caen.fr 023-106-4440 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.