What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for grief, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness-based therapies, generally have minimal side effects. However, some individuals may experience temporary increases in distress or emotional discomfort as they process traumatic memories. Other potential side effects include fatigue, headaches, or vivid dreams. These side effects are typically short-lived and manageable with the guidance of a trained therapist.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

The FDA has not specifically approved any drugs or therapies solely for the treatment of grief. However, various forms of psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other trauma-focused therapies, are commonly used to address symptoms of grief. Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), which uses image rescripting and eye movements, is a novel approach being studied for its effectiveness in treating grief, but it has not yet received FDA approval. Broadly, treatments for grief often involve psychological support and, in some cases, medications to manage associated symptoms like depression or anxiety.

What other types of research exist?

Promising novel alternatives to ART for grief patients include: 1) Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), which has shown large reductions in PTSD and depression symptoms in a 2-week virtual intensive program for veterans. 2) Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy (ERRT), which has demonstrated significant improvements in trauma-related nightmares and associated symptoms. 3) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which has been effective in managing chronic pain and psychological distress, potentially benefiting grief patients.

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Behavioral Intervention

Accelerated Resolution Therapy for Grief

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Cindy Tofthagen, PhD

Research Sponsored by Mayo Clinic

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up baseline, 4 weeks, 6 and 13 months post-bereavement

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests how a therapy called ART affects grief in older adult caregivers and what it takes for them to respond to the therapy.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for older adult caregivers experiencing intense grief, caring for an immediate family member with less than a year to live. Participants must show signs of psychological trauma but not be suicidal or have psychotic behavior. They can't have had similar psychotherapy since becoming a caregiver, nor suffer from major psychiatric disorders, substance dependence, or cognitive impairment.

What is being tested?

The study tests Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) on caregivers dealing with pre-loss and prolonged grief. It aims to understand who benefits most from ART and how it affects the thinking processes of those grieving.

What are the potential side effects?

While specific side effects are not listed here, therapies addressing grief may lead to emotional discomfort, increased anxiety or sadness temporarily as individuals process their loss during treatment.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ baseline, 4 weeks, 6 and 13 months post-bereavement

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~baseline, 4 weeks, 6 and 13 months post-bereavement

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline, 4 weeks, 6 and 13 months post-bereavement for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Changes in clinical measure of prolonged grief disorder

Changes in pre-loss grief

Changes in prolonged grief disorder

Other study objectives

Caregiver burden

Change in anxiety

Change in depression

+6 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Accelerated Resolution Therapy GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Primary caregivers of an immediate family member enrolled in a hospice or palliative care program will receive 4 weekly sessions of accelerated resolution therapy (ART)

Group II: Information and Support GroupActive Control1 Intervention

Primary caregivers of an immediate family member enrolled in a hospice or palliative care program will receive four-time and attention matched sessions of a standardized social work intervention consisting of information and provision of emotional support.

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

Accelerated Resolution Therapy

2018

N/A

~60

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for grief, such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), utilize psychotherapy techniques like image rescripting and eye movements to help patients process traumatic memories. These methods work by allowing individuals to reframe distressing images and experiences in a way that reduces their emotional impact. Eye movements, similar to those used in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), are believed to facilitate the brain's natural processing mechanisms, helping to integrate and resolve traumatic memories. This is crucial for grief patients as it can significantly alleviate symptoms of prolonged grief and improve overall emotional well-being, enabling them to cope better with their loss.