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Online cognitive behavioral therapy for prolonged grief after traumatic loss: a randomized waitlist-controlled trial
L I M Lenferink1,2,3, M C Eisma1, M Y Buiter1
1Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, Groningen 9712, The Netherlands.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
|June 21, 2023
Summary
Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy effectively reduced prolonged grief, post-traumatic stress, and depression symptoms in adults bereaved by traffic accidents. This online therapy shows promise for traumatically bereaved individuals.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Mental Health
Background:
- Prolonged grief disorder is a newly recognized condition requiring effective treatments.
- Traumatic losses, such as traffic accidents, can lead to severe grief reactions.
- The efficacy of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) for traumatically bereaved individuals is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of a 12-week internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) for adults bereaved through traffic accidents.
- To compare iCBT outcomes against a waitlist control group.
- To assess prolonged grief, post-traumatic stress, and depression symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A randomized waitlist-controlled trial involving 40 adults bereaved by traffic accidents.
- Participants were assigned to either iCBT (n=19) or a waitlist control (n=21).
- Symptom assessments were conducted at baseline, post-treatment, and 8-week follow-up.
Main Results:
- Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy significantly reduced prolonged grief, post-traumatic stress, and depression symptoms compared to the control group.
- These positive effects were observed at both post-treatment and 8-week follow-up.
- Despite a high dropout rate (42%) in the treatment group, iCBT demonstrated strong efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy is a promising treatment for adults experiencing prolonged grief after traumatic loss.
- iCBT offers a viable therapeutic option for individuals bereaved through traffic accidents.
- Further research may explore strategies to mitigate dropout rates in online grief interventions.
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