NIH-funded research Sbir 2 grant

Walk with Me for Perinatal Grief: an online support and training tool for families and clinicians

Official title: Walk with Me (WWM) for Perinatal Grief

Funded at Oregon Res Behavioral Intervention Strat · NIH-11379151 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A digital program called Walk with Me for perinatal grief helps families who have lost a baby and the healthcare team to cope with grief and trauma.

More Grief research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOregon Res Behavioral Intervention Strat
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Springfield, UNITED STATES)
Project startAugust 15, 2021
Project endAugust 31, 2027
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$633,205
NIH project number5R44MH126788-04
Project IDNIH-11379151 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates are bereaved parents and birth partners experiencing or at risk for grief and PTSD after perinatal loss, plus clinicians who support these families.

Less likely to help

Some families may not find the online program helpful or accessible due to personal preferences or limited internet access.

What this research studies

This project builds on a web-based program that provides therapeutic content for bereaved parents and training for clinicians. It aims to advance an evidence-based approach to supporting families after pregnancy or infant loss and to reduce posttraumatic stress symptoms and grief burdens. The team will move from a functional prototype to a more robust Phase II version that can be used in real-world settings with families and providers. The approach involves user-friendly modules designed for parents and for healthcare professionals to improve care during a very vulnerable time.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help bereaved families feel more supported and reduce distress after perinatal loss.

How similar studies have gone: Prior Phase I results showed moderate improvements in grief self-efficacy and PTSD avoidance, supporting progression to Phase II.

Where this research is happening

  • Oregon Res Behavioral Intervention Strat
    Springfield, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Smith, David Randolph — Oregon Res Behavioral Intervention Strat
  • Study coordinator: Smith, David Randolph

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Helping families coping with overdose bereavement and substance use support

    A patient-friendly program tests a peer grief support approach to help people who lost loved ones to overdose and may also help reduce risky substance use.

    NIH research Stanford University · Stanford, United States · NIH-11454648

  • Long-lasting grief after losing a loved one in older adults

    Researchers are finding how common long-lasting grief is and what factors make it more or less likely for adults aged 65 and older.

    NIH research Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health · Boston, United States · NIH-11303447

  • Accelerated Resolution Therapy for grief in older caregivers

    A clinical trial tests a brief therapy called Accelerated Resolution Therapy to help older family caregivers cope with maladaptive grief after losing loved ones.

    NIH research Mayo Clinic Jacksonville · Jacksonville, United States · NIH-11298955

  • Support for Parents After Pregnancy or Infant Loss

    This project creates a web-based tool to help parents cope with the emotional challenges and grief after losing a pregnancy or infant.

    NIH research Oregon Res Behavioral Intervention Strat · Springfield, UNITED STATES · NIH-11196769

  • Understanding prolonged grief disorder in older adults after losing a loved one

    This study is looking at how common prolonged grief disorder is among older adults who have lost someone they love, and it aims to find out what helps some people cope better than others, so we can improve support and treatment for those who are struggling.

    NIH research Harvard School of Public Health · Boston, United States · NIH-11137732

  • Finding Meaning After Losing a Child to Cancer

    This project offers a special type of grief support called Meaning-Centered Grief Therapy to parents who have lost a child to cancer, helping them cope with their profound loss.

    NIH research University of Miami School of Medicine · Coral Gables, United States · NIH-11119027

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.