AI-Assisted Grief-Focused Guided Narrative Writing for Subclinical Prolonged Grief Disorder in Bereaved Chinese Adolescents: A Three-Arm Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial.
Trial ID: NCT07589088
Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Phase: NA
Start date: 2026-05-25
Completion date: 2027-05
Sponsor: Peking University
Conditions: Artificial Intelligence (AI); Prolonged Grief Symptoms; Depression - Major Depressive Disorder; Anxiety; Disabilities
Interventions: AI-Assisted Grief-Focused Guided Narrative Writing; No-Feedback Guided Narrative Writing; Free Writing
Locations: Peking University
Countries: China
Enrollment: 126
Age range: 10 Years - 19 Years
Sex: ALL

Summary:
Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) is a severe, disabling condition characterized by intense yearning and difficulty accepting the reality of loss, which significantly impairs the academic and psychosocial functioning of bereaved adolescents. While Grief-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (GF-CBT) is effective, its high cost and resource-intensive nature limit its accessibility for adolescents in mainland China. Grief-Focused Guided Narrative Writing (GF-GNW) offers a scalable, low-cost alternative that facilitates memory integration.

Furthermore, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide personalized, structured feedback has the potential to simulate therapist functions and enhance intervention efficacy. However, the specific efficacy of AI-assisted feedback in this context remains empirically unvalidated.

This parallel randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effectiveness of AI-assisted GF-GNW (AI-GF-GNW) in treating Chinese adolescents (aged 10-19) with subclinical PGD, compared to a no-feedback NF-GF-GNW group and a free writing group. Primary outcomes include PGD symptom severity, while secondary outcomes assess depression, anxiety, and daily functioning. We hypothesize that both active intervention arms will significantly alleviate PGD and related symptoms compared to the free writing group, and that the AI-GF-GNW group will demonstrate a significantly greater reduction in symptoms and functional impairment than the NF-GF-GNW group.

Eligibility criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Junior and senior high school students currently studying in Chinese Mainland, aged 10-19;
* Between 6 and 60 months prior to the experimental period, experienced the death of a significant family member or close friend or close friend;
* The total symptom score of PG-13-R is between 20-29 points;
* Ability to write and understand written guidelines, to use the mobile phone to interact with AI;
* Consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed or previously diagnosed with mental illness
* The bereavement time does not meet the time window
* PG-13-R score is not within the range
* At present, there is suicidal ideation or recent severe self harm behavior (Reynolds' Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire, SIQ-JR-4\>0), and a crisis intervention hotline is provided when necessary.
* Has received other grief counseling or is currently taking psychiatric medication within the past month

Outcomes:
Prolonged Grief Disorder-13-Revision (PG-13-R); Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)