Can family therapy ease grief after cancer? new study tests it

NCT ID NCT00580515

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether family-focused grief therapy (FFGT) helps families cope when a member has advanced cancer. 700 families were randomly assigned to standard care, 6 therapy sessions, or 10 sessions. The goal was to prevent depression and improve communication during palliative care and after the patient's death. The therapy involves structured sessions over several months.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Family Focused Group Therapy (FFGT)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could provide a simple, non-drug way to help families cope with grief and reduce depression after losing a loved one to cancer.
What could go wrong: This is a completed trial, but results may not apply to all families. The therapy requires time and commitment, and not everyone may benefit equally.

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 CANCER are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cancer neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

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

CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Beth Israel Hospice Program

New York, New York, 10003, United States
Calvary Hospital

The Bronx, New York, 10461, United States
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

New York, New York, 10065, United States

More trials for these conditions

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