Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Feasibility and Outcomes of Therapist-led Online Cancer Bereavement Groups

This study explores online support groups run by qualified therapists for adults who have lost a loved one to cancer. Losing someone to cancer can bring its own unique challenges, and traditional in-person support isn't always easy to access. This research aims to find out if online groups are a practical, helpful, and welcome way to provide support. It involves 100 participants, with some joining the online group straight away and others after a three-month wait. The groups will run for eight sessions over 12 weeks, focusing on coping strategies. Researchers will measure feelings of grief, anxiety, and depression, as well as how useful and acceptable people found the groups. The results will help decide if a larger study is needed to confirm their effectiveness.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University College, London

Enrolment target

100

Start

15 Jan 2025

Estimated completion

15 Dec 2025

Waitlist Control Intervention (Training) Condition

What is this study about?

This research is looking into a new way to support people grieving after losing a loved one to cancer: online support groups led by trained therapists. Losing someone to cancer can bring very specific challenges, and it's not always easy for people to get the help they need. Sometimes, traditional in-person groups can be hard to attend due to practical reasons like travel, or because people feel uncomfortable asking for help.

Online groups could offer a much more accessible and comfortable way to receive support. While there's some evidence that online groups can help, most of these have been run by people who have also experienced loss, rather than by professional therapists. This study wants to see if online groups led by a therapist are practical and effective for people grieving a cancer loss. It also wants to find out what people think about these groups and if they find them helpful.

The study involves 100 adults who have experienced this type of loss. Some will join an online group straight away, and others will join after a three-month wait. The online groups consist of eight sessions over 12 weeks, using different talking therapies to help people cope with their grief. Researchers will check things like how intense people's grief feels, as well as their levels of anxiety and depression. They will also ask participants what they liked or disliked about the groups. The information gathered will help decide if this type of online support is effective enough to be studied on a much larger scale in the future.

Key takeaways

The study explores therapist-led online support for cancer bereavement.
It aims to see if online groups are practical and helpful for coping with grief.
Participants will be adults who lost someone to cancer over 6 months ago.
Involves 8 online sessions over 12 weeks, plus questionnaires.
You might start the group immediately or after a short wait.
Results will help decide if this type of online support should be offered more widely.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to be an adult aged 18 or over who has lost a loved one, like a partner, family member, or friend, to cancer. It's important that this loss happened more than six months ago. This is because people naturally go through a period of adjustment after a loss, and the study wants to look at support after this initial phase.

You also need to be able to access the online groups from home, which means having an internet connection and a device like a computer or tablet. You’ll also need to be willing to accept that you might join the group immediately or have to wait for three months. You would typically hear about this study or be referred through The Loss Foundation charity or one of its partners.

There are some reasons why someone might not be able to join. For instance, if someone is at high risk of harming themselves or others, or if they are experiencing significant alcohol or drug misuse that would make it hard to take part. Also, if you're already in another type of therapy for your grief, this study wouldn't be suitable at the same time.

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 18 years old or older?
Have you lost a loved one to cancer?
Did this loss happen more than 6 months ago?
Do you have access to the internet and device for online meetings?
Are you able to take part in group sessions online?
Are you not currently in other grief therapy?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you'll first be asked some questions at the beginning to understand your current feelings and situation. After this, you'll be randomly assigned to one of two groups: either you'll start the online support group straight away, or you'll be asked to wait for three months before starting.

The online support group itself involves eight sessions over 12 weeks, led by a trained therapist. You'll attend these sessions online from home. Throughout the study, at different points (at the start, after the group finishes, and three months later), you'll be asked to complete some questionnaires. These will help the researchers understand how your feelings of grief, anxiety, and other emotions might have changed, and what you thought of the groups. The total duration of your involvement could be several months, depending on when you start the group and when your final follow-up takes place.

Potential risks and benefits

Potential benefits of taking part include receiving professional online support for your grief, which could help reduce feelings of sadness, anxiety, and disconnection, and improve your coping skills. You would also be contributing to important research that could help many others facing similar losses in the future. Potential risks are generally low, but discussing difficult emotions can sometimes be upsetting or uncomfortable in the short term. You are always free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your care or relationship with any medical services.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

The Loss Foundation (Charity)
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is this study trying to find out?

It's trying to see if online therapist-led support groups are practical and helpful for people grieving a loved one lost to cancer.

Who can join this study?

Adults (18+) who lost someone to cancer more than 6 months ago, have online access, and are willing to wait for a group if assigned.

What is involved if I take part?

You'll answer some questions, possibly join an 8-session online group over 12 weeks, and fill out more questionnaires later on.

Will I get help straight away?

You might start the group immediately, or you might have a 3-month wait, as some participants are in a 'waitlist' group.

What kind of support is offered?

It's an online group led by a therapist, based on different talking therapies to help with grief and coping skills.