A protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of unguided internet cognitive behaviour therapy for grief in adolescents

Internet Interv. 2024 Sep 3:38:100771. doi: 10.1016/j.invent.2024.100771. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Abstract

Grief is highly prevalent in adolescents, however, there have been no studies investigating internet delivered cognitive behaviour therapy for grief in adolescents (ICBT-G-A). In this paper, the co-design of an unguided ICBT-G-A intervention is described, and a protocol outlined for a pilot randomised controlled trial of the intervention. Participants will be randomised to the intervention (delivered via eight modules over a four-week period) or a four-week waitlist control. Intervention participants will complete a follow-up assessment at one-month post-intervention (eight weeks from the pre-intervention assessment). The intervention outcomes assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention and follow-up include wellbeing and symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and prolonged grief. User feedback on experiences and acceptability of the intervention will be sought and feasibility assessed via programmatic data on recruitment and attrition.

Keywords: Adolescence; Cognitive behaviour therapy; Grief; Internet; Loss.