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Biomarkers may serve as objective measures in complicated grief (CG) potentially capturing responses to stress reduction treatment. This paper reports challenges in obtaining and assessing salivary cortisol and α-amylase (sAA) for a recent randomized clinical trial. Within-session changes in salivary cortisol and sAA for 54 older adults with CG who received Accelerated Resolution Therapy were compared with perceived stress measured by Subjective Units of Distress Scale. Bivariate correlations and multiple regressions examined changes in biomarkers. Protocols, study logs, and audit reports identified challenges. Challenges included obtaining unstimulated passive drool salivary samples and their analyses. Our sample of older females on multiple medications may have resulted in a perfect storm of moderating and intervening variables which affected the stress response. This paper contributes to the discussion on designing clinical trials for older adults which must account for physiologic changes, multimorbidity, and polypharmacy common in this population and makes recommendations moving forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The loss of a loved one, especially by a caregiver, can be stressful. Grief can affect one emotionally, mentally, behaviorally, spiritually, and physically and affects individuals differently. Complicated grief (CG), especially for a caregiver, can be intense, prolonged, and interfere with normal activities accompanied by destructive thoughts and behaviors. AIM : To synthesize the available research on persons experiencing CG and the effect on cortisol levels. METHODS : A literature search for articles published on CG and cortisol was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsychINFO, and Web of Science. Search terms included CG, cortisol, and their variants. No date limitations were applied. In accordance with PRISMA, articles were sorted and evaluated against specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS : The search yielded 18 articles, of which 5 were included in the review. CONCLUSIONS : Cortisol levels and diurnal patterns are shown to be affected in individuals experiencing CG. With prolonged bereavement and dysregulated cortisol, physical and mental health outcomes may result warranting a need for effective stress reduction therapies for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]