A pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial of an online cancer bereavement group.
4 affiliations
- 1Division of Psychology & Lang Sciences, Faculty of Brain Sciences, Research department of Clinical Educational and Health Psychology (CEHP), University College London (UCL), London, UK.
- 2The Loss Foundation, [Registered Charity 1147362], London, UK.
- 3Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- 4Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.
Abstract
Bereavement following the death of a loved one from cancer presents unique challenges related to anticipatory stressors, caregiving demands, and the illness trajectory. Although online bereavement interventions may improve access to support, evidence for therapist-led online groups remains limited. This pilot randomised controlled trial evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of an online therapeutic group intervention for adults bereaved by cancer. In this longitudinal pilot RCT, adults bereaved by cancer were randomised to receive the intervention immediately or following a three-month wait-list period. The intervention comprised eight online group sessions delivered over 12 weeks, integrating trauma-informed cognitive behavioural therapy, compassion-focused therapy and psychoeducation. Primary outcomes were feasibility and acceptability. Secondary outcomes included prolonged grief, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, self-compassion, and social disconnection, assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. Of 124 randomised participants, 100 (80.6%) commenced the allocated intervention and 97 contributed sufficient data for primary analyses. The study met pre-specified feasibility and acceptability criteria, although patterns of attrition differed according to trial stage. Non-commencement following allocation was higher in the immediate intervention groups (27.0 vs 11.5%) whereas withdrawal after intervention commencement was higher in the waitlist group (24.1% vs 10.9%). Exploratory between-group analyses suggested greater improvements in prolonged grief (d = -1.87), post-traumatic stress (d = -1.55), depression (d = -1.03), anxiety (d = -0.71), and self-compassion (d = 1.15) in the immediate intervention group compared with waitlist controls. No statistically significant between-group difference was observed for social disconnection (d = -0.49). Therapist-led online bereavement groups appear feasible and acceptable for adults bereaved by cancer and show promise for improving psychological outcomes. A fully powered RCT is warranted to establish efficacy.
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BibTeX
@article{king2026pilot,
title = {{A pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial of an online cancer bereavement group.}},
author = {Lara King and Kirsten V Smith and Charles L Cole and Erin Hope Thompson},
journal = {Internet interventions},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.invent.2026.101017},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42999896},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial of an online cancer bereavement group.
AU - Lara King
AU - Kirsten V Smith
AU - Charles L Cole
AU - Erin Hope Thompson
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/31
JO - Internet interventions
DO - 10.1016/j.invent.2026.101017
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42999896
AB - Bereavement following the death of a loved one from cancer presents unique challenges related to anticipatory stressors, caregiving demands, and the illness trajectory. Although online bereavement interventions may improve access to support, evidence for therapist-led online groups remains limited. This pilot randomised controlled trial evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of an online therapeutic group intervention for adults bereaved by cancer. In this longitudinal pilot RCT, adults bereaved by cancer were randomised to receive the intervention immediately or following a three-month wait-list period. The intervention comprised eight online group sessions delivered over 12 weeks, integrating trauma-informed cognitive behavioural therapy, compassion-focused therapy and psychoeducation. Primary outcomes were feasibility and acceptability. Secondary outcomes included prolonged grief, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, self-compassion, and social disconnection, assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. Of 124 randomised participants, 100 (80.6%) commenced the allocated intervention and 97 contributed sufficient data for primary analyses. The study met pre-specified feasibility and acceptability criteria, although patterns of attrition differed according to trial stage. Non-commencement following allocation was higher in the immediate intervention groups (27.0 vs 11.5%) whereas withdrawal after intervention commencement was higher in the waitlist group (24.1% vs 10.9%). Exploratory between-group analyses suggested greater improvements in prolonged grief (d = -1.87), post-traumatic stress (d = -1.55), depression (d = -1.03), anxiety (d = -0.71), and self-compassion (d = 1.15) in the immediate intervention group compared with waitlist controls. No statistically significant between-group difference was observed for social disconnection (d = -0.49). Therapist-led online bereavement groups appear feasible and acceptable for adults bereaved by cancer and show promise for improving psychological outcomes. A fully powered RCT is warranted to establish efficacy.
SN - 2214-7829
ER -