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Complicated Grief Therapy Evidence — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

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HardBereavementComplicated Grief Therapy EvidenceSCE Palliative Medicine

A 72‑year‑old man lost his wife to cancer 14 months ago. He meets DSM‑5‑TR criteria for prolonged grief disorder (PGD). What is the evidence‑based treatment for PGD?

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Correct answer: D — Complicated grief therapy (CGT — Shear et al.) — a structured psychotherapy incorporating exposure‑based techniques, interpersonal elements and motivational strategies — is more effective than standard interpersonal therapy for PGD

The correct answer is D. The gold‑standard evidence for prolonged grief disorder (PGD) supports Complicated Grief Therapy (CGT), developed by Shear et al. A landmark RCT (2005) found CGT significantly more effective than standard interpersonal psychotherapy. A longer‑term trial showed that CBT augmented with exposure to the deceased versus CBT alone produced greater sustained symptom reduction. Other options are incorrect: generic CBT for depression lacks grief focus and is less effective; PGD rarely resolves spontaneously after 14 months; and although SSRIs may offer modest benefit, they are not first‑line and lack high‑level evidence as monotherapy for PGD.

Reference: Shear MK et al. Treatment of complicated grief: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2005;293(21):2601‑2608. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15928281/