Internet Cognitive Therapy for Prolonged Grief Disorder (iCT-PG): a developmental case series

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Digital Therapeutics
• Grief and Loss Research

Background:

• Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) is a significant mental health condition with limited treatment access.
• Existing treatments for PGD often face barriers to accessibility.
• A therapist-assisted digital intervention, Internet Cognitive Therapy for Prolonged Grief (iCT-PG), has been developed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the preliminary feasibility and acceptability of iCT-PG.
• To assess the clinical outcomes of iCT-PG in adults with PGD.
• To investigate the impact of iCT-PG on cognitive mechanisms maintaining PGD.

Main Methods:

• A 12-session remote iCT-PG program was delivered over 14 weeks to 8 adults diagnosed with PGD.
• The intervention targeted memory characteristics, negative appraisals, social disconnection, and coping strategies.
• Outcomes were measured pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 3-month follow-up using validated instruments.

Main Results:

• All participants completed the iCT-PG program, demonstrating high feasibility and acceptability.
• Significant reductions in PGD symptoms, as well as comorbid PTSD, depression, and anxiety, were observed.
• 87.5% of participants showed reliable improvement and recovery below clinical cut-offs, with gains maintained at follow-up.

Conclusions:

• iCT-PG is a feasible and well-accepted digital intervention for Prolonged Grief Disorder.
• The intervention effectively targets key mechanisms implicated in PGD maintenance.
• Findings support further investigation of iCT-PG in larger trials to establish efficacy and scalability.