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Narrative reconstruction therapy for prolonged grief disorder - a pilot study.
Gali Elinger1, Ilanit Hasson-Ohayon1, Eran Barkalifa2
1Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
European Journal of Psychotraumatology
|May 10, 2021
Summary
Narrative reconstruction therapy effectively reduced prolonged grief disorder (PGD), depression, and PTSD symptoms in a pilot study. Patients experienced lasting improvements in grief and trauma integration three months post-treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Grief Research
Background:
- Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is a debilitating condition affecting 10% of non-traumatically bereaved individuals.
- Narrative reconstruction (NR) is an integrative therapy initially developed for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- NR involves exposure to loss memories, narrative writing, and exploring personal significance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of Narrative Reconstruction (NR) therapy for reducing symptoms in patients with Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD).
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 10 PGD patients treated with 16 weekly sessions of NR.
- Assessment of PGD, PTSD, depression symptoms, and loss integration at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in PGD, depression, and PTSD symptoms were observed post-NR treatment.
- Participants showed increased levels of trauma integration following the therapy.
- Symptom improvements were sustained and further enhanced at the 3-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary evidence suggests Narrative Reconstruction (NR) is a feasible and effective treatment for Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD).
- Further investigation through randomized controlled trials is warranted to confirm these findings.
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