Mobile app for prolonged grief among bereaved parents: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Digital Health
• Mental Health Interventions

Background:

• Bereaved parents face increased mental health challenges, with limited research on effective psychosocial interventions.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) shows efficacy for prolonged grief, and mobile apps offer accessible mental health support.
• No app has been specifically evaluated for prolonged grief in bereaved parents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a CBT-based mobile app, My Grief, for reducing prolonged grief and other psychological symptoms in bereaved parents.
• To assess user experiences and adverse events associated with the My Grief app.

Main Methods:

• A two-armed randomized waitlist-controlled trial involving bereaved parents in Sweden who lost a child 1-10 years ago.
• The My Grief app utilizes CBT principles and features self-monitoring, exercises, and support resources.
• Primary outcome is prolonged grief symptoms at 3-month follow-up, with secondary outcomes including PTSD, depression, and quality of life.

Main Results:

• Primary outcome: Prolonged grief symptoms at 3-month follow-up.
• Secondary outcomes: Post-traumatic stress, depression, quality of life, and cognitive variables (avoidance, rumination, negative cognitions).
• User experiences and adverse events will also be assessed.

Conclusions:

• The study aims to provide evidence for the effectiveness of a novel digital intervention for prolonged grief in bereaved parents.
• Successful outcomes could lead to the public release of the My Grief app, benefiting a wider population.
• This research addresses a critical gap in digital mental health support for a vulnerable population.