A simple letter could ease grief for caregivers after a loved One's death

NCT ID NCT02861625

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Institut Paoli-Calmettes Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 08, 2026 · Last updated Jul 09, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether sending a condolence letter to family caregivers after a patient's death, along with offering a bereavement consultation with the doctor, helps them cope better. About 432 caregivers will be randomly assigned to receive either the letter and consultation or standard care. The main goal is to see if this approach improves their mental well-being three months after the loss.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Letter of condolence and post-death medical consultation
What this could lead to: If effective, this simple, low-cost approach could become a standard way to support grieving caregivers, potentially reducing prolonged grief and improving quality of life.
What could go wrong: The trial is relatively small and measures subjective outcomes like quality of life, which can vary widely. The intervention may not significantly improve well-being compared to standard practice.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for CAREGIVERS are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CAREGIVERS

Contacts and locations

Show contact details

Locations

GRAVIS

Marseille, France
Institut Paoli Calmettes

Marseille, Bouches Du Rhone, 13009, France

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.