Noninvasive brain stimulation to help prolonged grief

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study investigates the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a potential treatment for Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD). Eligible adults who are bereaved and have significant PGD symptoms will receive rTMS sessions to targeted brain areas, with the goal of reducing grief-related distress. The approach is non-invasive and has been used for mood disorders; this study explores its feasibility and potential benefit for PGD. The research focuses on safety, tolerability, and preliminary signals of symptom improvement, with careful monitoring and standardized assessments. The trial is conducted at Bruyère Health in Ottawa, under a proof-of-concept framework to inform future larger studies.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Bereaved individuals \>/= 18 years of age
2. Score \>25 on the Inventory of Complicated Grief
3. Must have a primary care physician
4. Ability to understand and communicate in English
5. Ability to provide first-person informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current or previously diagnosed seizure disorder
2. Documented brain lesions
3. Contraindications to TMS (i.e., metallic skull plates, clips, stimulators, pacemakers)
4. Current substance abuse disorder (e.g., schizophrenia)
5. Pregnancy or lactation, or trying to conceive
6. Advanced, incurable illness with an expected prognosis of \<3 months - bereaved family members are known to be at elevated risk of death from medical illness, but if death is expected in the near future, it would be difficult to justify using an entire week of their limited time for an unproven therapy.

Where it's running

• Bruyere Health
  Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: James Downar, MDCM, MHSc
• Email: jdownar@toh.ca
• Phone: 613-562-6262

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Psilocybin to help people with prolonged grief disorder

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  Recruiting Early Phase 1 University of Virginia · Charlottesville, Virginia · NCT06724289

• Internet therapy for prolonged grief disorder

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• 8-week mindfulness program for adults with prolonged grief disorder

  This pilot tries an 8-week mindfulness training to see if it reduces grief symptoms and lowers stress-related brain and body responses in adults aged 18–60 with prolonged grief disorder.

  Recruiting University Hospital, Caen · Caen, Calvados · NCT06017765

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.