New grief therapy aims to help parents find meaning after losing a child
NCT ID NCT02153619
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests a new counseling program called Meaning-Centered Grief Therapy (MCGT) for parents who have lost a child. The program focuses on helping parents find meaning and purpose after their loss. About 108 parents will take part, and the study will see if the therapy is practical and helps reduce symptoms of prolonged grief.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Meaning-Centered Grief Therapy (MCGT) and Supportive Psychotherapy (SP)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide an effective, structured therapy to help grieving parents find meaning and reduce prolonged grief symptoms.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early feasibility study with a small number of participants, so results may not apply to all parents. The therapy may not be more helpful than standard supportive counseling.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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108 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2014
- Expected to finish
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May 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Loss of a child at least 6 months * Biological or adoptive parent or stepparent as reported in the child's medical record or by parent report * Parent must be age 18 or over as reported by parent * In the judgment of investigators/consenting professionals, able to comprehend English to complete study assessments * Score of 34 or greater ( ≥ 34) on the PG-13 at screening (N/A for training case participants) * Residing in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania for P1S1; Residing in New York for P1S2; residing in New York or New Jersey or able to complete sessions while complying with current telehealth regulations. Support Provider Inclusion Criteria: * Must be age 18 or over as indicated by self-report * Has been identified by the bereaved parent participant as a support or someone important to bereaved parent * Must reside in New York or New Jersey or able to complete sessions while complying with current telehealth regulations. Exclusion Criteria: * Significant psychiatric disturbance sufficient, in the investigator's judgment, to preclude completion of the assessment measures, interview or informed consent * Inability to access a computer with Internet or inability to use a computer with Internet provided by the study as indicated by self-report * Another parent or primary caregiver of the child has been enrolled in the study (N/A for training case participants) * For the Part 2 RCT, participated in Part 1, Step 1 or 2. Support Provider Exclusion Criteria: * Significant psychiatric disturbance sufficient, in the investigator's judgment, to preclude completion of the assessment measures, interview or informed consent * Inability to access a computer with Internet or inability to use a computer with Internet provided by the study as indicated by self-report
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, 10065, United States