NCT07002424

Feasibility and Outcomes of Therapist-led Online Cancer Bereavement Groups

Active, enrolled NA Last updated 3 June 2025

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Therapeutic - Psychological in Waitlist Control in 100 participants. Participants enrolled and being followed up; not accepting new ones.

Timeline

15 January 2025

Primary endpoint
5 November 2025

15 December 2025

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	University College, London
Phase	NA
Status	Active, enrolled
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	randomized
Design	single group
Masking	none
Primary purpose	treatment
Enrollment	100
Start date	15 January 2025
Primary completion	5 November 2025
Estimated completion	15 December 2025
Sites	1 location across United Kingdom

Drugs / interventions tested

• Therapeutic - Psychological

Conditions studied

• Waitlist Control — all drugs for Waitlist Control →
• Intervention (Training) Condition — all drugs for Intervention (Training) Condition →

Sponsor

University College, London

Who can join

18 and older, any sex, with Waitlist Control or Intervention (Training) Condition. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

Background: The loss of loved one to cancer brings unique difficulties that impact on the bereavement experience. Mixed support exists for the effectiveness of in-person group interventions for bereaved caregivers, with barriers to accessing support including perceived stigmatisation and geographical constraints. Online bereavement interventions offer an accessible and effective means of providing grief support to various populations at the individual and group level. Research supports the effectiveness of online groups for those bereaved by cancer, although most of these studies are peer-led as opposed to therapist-led. Despite a growing rationale for the use of online groups for bereavement, there is little empirical evidence for therapist led groups, or for those bereaved by cancer. Objectives: This paper describes the protocol for a pilot feasibility trial evaluating the feasibility, potential effectiveness and acceptability of delivering online therapy groups for those bereaved by cancer. Methods and analysis: It will use a longitudinal pilot and feasibility methodology to evaluate a randomised controlled trial (RCT) design and its suitability for a future definitive RCT. Participants: A total of 100 adults who have lost a loved one to cancer will be randomised to receive the intervention immediately or after a delay three months later. Interventions: An eight-session online therapeutic group intervention led over 12 weeks based on models of cognitive behavioural therapy, compassion focused therapy and coping with bereavement. Primary outcome measures: Cancer- bereaved adults' grief intensity, depression, anxiety, PTSD, self-compassion and social disconnection. Acceptability of the intervention will also be measured including what participants found most helpful or unhelpful about the groups and any adverse outcomes. Data collection will occur at baseline, intervention completion and at follow up, 3 months after intervention completion. Results: The feasibility of trial procedures and the effect of the intervention on the outcomes will be tested,. Conclusions: At intervention completion, it is hoped that participants will show reductions across all outcomes measures with improvements remaining at follow up, compared to the waitlist-control group, warranting the need for a full-scale RCT to establish efficacy. Trial registration (intended registry): Protocol version: 1 (No amendments currently), Issued:

Publications & conference data

1 peer-reviewed publication reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. A protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of an online cancer bereavement group.
   King L, Smith KV, Cole CL, Thompson EH. · · 2026 · PMID 41749396 · DOI 10.1186/s40814-026-01785-y