Self-affirmation and heart responses during grief
Official title: Investigating Cardiovascular Reactivity and Recovery of Young Adults During Grief-Recall, With Self-Affirmation as Potential Intervention
Run by University of South Florida · NCT07356635 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether a brief self-affirmation exercise helps adults grieving a recent loss have calmer heart and blood pressure responses during and after recalling their loss.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 140 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of South Florida Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Tampa, Florida) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 16, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 2026 |
| Study ends | March 2027 |
| Registry record updated | January 21, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07356635 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18 or older who lost a family member or friend 2–18 months ago, speak English, are not pregnant, and do not have cardiovascular disease or take medications that affect cardiovascular or cognitive function.
✕Probably not a fit
People with existing cardiovascular disease, those who are pregnant, taking heart-affecting medications, or whose loss occurred outside the 2–18 month window may not benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Adults bereaved 2–18 months will be randomly assigned to a brief self-affirmation exercise or a control task and then complete a guided grief-recall procedure while cardiovascular measures are recorded. Investigators will measure heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rate variability to compare reactivity during the recall and recovery afterward. The analysis will examine whether baseline grief severity changes the effect of the self-affirmation manipulation on cardiovascular responses. Procedures are conducted in English in a laboratory setting at the University of South Florida.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, a simple self-affirmation exercise could reduce harmful cardiovascular stress responses in recently bereaved adults and lower short-term heart-related risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory studies have shown self-affirmation can reduce cardiovascular reactivity to general stressors, but its effect specifically on grief recall has not been tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals aged 18 and older who have experienced the death of family member and/or friend within the last 2 to 18 months. * Participants must also be fluent in English as all procedures will be conducted in English. Exclusion Criteria: \- Individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease or disorders, those who report being pregnant, or are taking medication which may alter/affect cardiovascular and/or cognitive processes.
Where it's running
-
University of South Florida, Psychology and Communication Sciences and Disorders Lab Building
Tampa, Florida, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kaiyuan Luo, BS, BA — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Kaiyuan Luo, BS, BA
- Email: kluo@usf.edu
- Phone: 412-708-9227
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.