Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

The Aarhus Bereavement Study

Denmark1,243 participantsStarted 2017-02-07

Plain-language summary

Psychological distress is a natural reaction following the death of a loved one. Nevertheless, research has shown that for a significant minority of bereaved individuals the grieving process is disturbed. These individuals experience an intense grief reaction that persists across time characterized by longing for the deceased or persistent preoccupation with the deceased. It has been suggested that this intense, persistent grief reaction meets criteria to be considered a distinct mental disorder. Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) has been proposed to capture this condition and will be included in the forthcoming ICD-11. The proposed project aims to prepare healthcare services to use the diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) by determining the frequency of PDG in a population sample of bereaved spouses and their adult children. It will also identify early predictors of PGD and trajectories of natural and prolonged grief as well as investigate the specificity of PGD in relation to other common loss-related reactions. Thus, the project will provide a prognostic tool to identify individuals with high versus low risk of developing PGD.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 85 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria, partner: * Resident in the following municipalities: Aarhus, Favrskov, Horsens, Norddjurs, Odder, Randers, Silkeborg, Skanderborg, Syddjurs * Age 25-85 * Has lost a partner or spouse within the last 5 weeks from inclusion Inclusion Criteria, child: * Resident in the following municipalities: Aarhus, Favrskov, Horsens, Norddjurs, Odder, Randers, Silkeborg, Skanderborg, Syddjurs * Age 18-85 * Has lost a parent or step-parent within the last 5 weeks from inclusion Exclusion Criteria, all: \- Psychiatric inpatients

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Prolonged grief

Timeframe: 2, 6, 11, 18, and 26 months post-loss

Complicated grief

Timeframe: 2, 6, 11, 18, and 26 months post-loss

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03049007

SponsorUniversity of Aarhus

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2024-04-01

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Grief trials