Objective: The objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to prevent or treat prolonged grief symptoms among families of patients who die in intensive care units (ICU).
Introduction: Up to 52% of families of patients who die in ICU may be at risk of experiencing prolonged grief symptoms.
Inclusion criteria: Studies of adult family members (≥18 years) of adult ICU patients (≥18 years) who underwent a treatment withdrawal or withholding decision, and who were exposed to tailored interventions to prevent or treat prolonged grief symptoms before, during, and/or after the patient's death will be considered for inclusion. Both randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, before and after studies, interrupted time-series, cohort, and case-control studies will be considered.
Methods: The JBI methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness will be followed. Databases to be searched include CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, APA PsycINFO (all via EBSCOhost), PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus. Two independent reviewers will perform the study selection, critical appraisal, and data extraction. Studies will be pooled in meta-analysis, if possible. Heterogeneity will be assessed using the standard χ2 and I2 tests. Statistical analyses will be performed using the random effects model. The fixed effects model will be used if fewer than 5 studies are included. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach will be used to grade the certainty of evidence, and a Summary of Findings will be presented.
Review registration: PROSPERO CRD42024528308.
Copyright © 2025 JBI.