Dataset Information

Randomised controlled trial of expressive writing and quality of life in men and women treated for colon or rectal cancer.

ABSTRACT: This randomised trial tested (i) whether a home-based expressive writing (EW) intervention improves quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and (ii) whether the intervention is more beneficial for men or for people who feel constrained in disclosing cancer-related concerns and feelings.Patients treated for CRC were randomised to an EW (n = 101) or control writing (CW; n = 92) group. Assessments were completed at 1 month pre- and post-intervention. Sex and perceived social constraints on disclosure were evaluated as moderators.Primary outcomes were depressive symptoms, sleep problems and quality of life indicators.Eighty-one per cent of participants completed all writing assignments. Consistent with hypotheses, relative to the CW group, participants in the EW group expressed more negative emotion in writing and rated their writings as more meaningful, personal and emotionally revealing. There were no significant main effects of EW or moderating effects of sex or social constraints on outcomes.Although EW is feasible to use with persons who have CRC, it was not effective as a stand-alone psychotherapeutic intervention. Neither was it more effective for men nor for people who felt they could not freely disclose cancer-related concerns and feelings.

SUBMITTER: Lepore SJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4289438 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Randomised controlled trial of expressive writing and quality of life in men and women treated for colon or rectal cancer.

Lepore Stephen J SJ Revenson Tracey A TA Roberts Katherine J KJ Pranikoff Julie R JR Davey Adam A

Psychology & health 20141027 3

<h4>Objective</h4>This randomised trial tested (i) whether a home-based expressive writing (EW) intervention improves quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and (ii) whether the intervention is more beneficial for men or for people who feel constrained in disclosing cancer-related concerns and feelings.<h4>Design</h4>Patients treated for CRC were randomised to an EW (n = 101) or control writing (CW; n = 92) group. Assessments were completed at 1 month pre- and post-intervention ...[more]

PMID: 25271396

Similar Datasets

Project description:Interventions: This study tests an expressive writing intervention. Expressive writing is the writing of deep thoughts and feelings about a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Participants engage in 4 writing sessions of 30 minutes duration each, spaced one week apart. Participants are allocated to one of two groups: Intervention group or Waitlist control group. The Intervention group participates in the intervention up to 4 weeks post their final cancer treatment session. The intervention is carried out individually by participants in their own homes, with phone assistance from a research assistant. Primary outcome(s): Improvement in physical symptoms and symptom distress (Symptom Experience Index)[Questionnaire is administered immediately prior to intervention, immediately after the intervention and at 4 months follow-up. The Waitlist control group fills out a questionnaire at timepoints identical to the Intervention group, plus an additional questionnaire immediately after their writing intervention.];Reduction in psychological distress[Questionnaire is administered immediately prior to intervention, immediately after the intervention and at 4 months follow-up. The Waitlist control group fills out a questionnaire at timepoints identical to the Intervention group, plus an additional questionnaire immediately after their writing intervention.];Anxiety and depression (Brief Symptom Inventory)[Questionnaire is administered immediately prior to intervention, immediately after the intervention and at 4 months follow-up. The Waitlist control group fills out a questionnaire at timepoints identical to the Intervention group, plus an additional questionnaire immediately after their writing intervention.];Increase in post-traumatic growth (Post-traumatic Growth Inventory)[Questionnaire is administered immediately prior to intervention, immediately after the intervention and at 4 months follow-up. The Waitlist control group fills out a questionnaire at timepoints identical to the Intervention group, plus an additional questionnaire immediately after their writing intervention.] Study Design: Purpose: Educational / counselling / training; Allocation: Randomised controlled trial; Masking: Open (masking not used);Assignment: Parallel;Type of endpoint: Efficacy

Dataset Information

Randomised controlled trial of expressive writing and quality of life in men and women treated for colon or rectal cancer.

Publications

Randomised controlled trial of expressive writing and quality of life in men and women treated for colon or rectal cancer.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets