The Impact of Expressive Emotional Writing on Facilitating Grief Resolution in Adults With Spinal Cord Injury

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of a 10-week online coach-guided EEWP on psychosocial health among adults with SCI.

Conditions

  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Transverse Myelitis

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

(1) diagnosis (with evidence) of SCI (traumatic or non-traumatic) with limb weakness; (2) aged > 18 years; (3) access to the internet and a computer or to a smartphone that can perform videoconferencing, (4) sufficient English language and cognitive proficiency to complete self-report study questionnaires and understand program content in English, and able to communicate verbally or through writing. -

Exclusion Criteria

(1) severe cognitive impairments that prevent online learning and completion of the evaluation; (2) suicidal intent requiring emergency care; (3) consistent psychotherapy within the last 6 months; (4) current or planned participation in psychological therapy or a clinical trial during the study period that could affect the outcomes of the study; or (5) congenital SCI (e.g., spinal bifida) -

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Intervention Model Description
Randomized controlled trial
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking Description
Assessors are masked to participant group assignment

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Expressive writing 		Participation in a 10 weekly virtual expressive writing with 1 session per week
  • Behavioral: expressive writing
    A typical session will begin with the teaching artist (i.e., writing coach) introducing a new writing theme. Participants will have at least 20 minutes to write, and each session will include post-writing reflections and sharing, an undirected supportive interaction among participants.
No Intervention
Waitlist control 		Participation in usual daily activities

Recruiting Locations

University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama 35294
Contact:
Hon K Yuen, PhD

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Study Contact

Hon Yuen, PhD
205-934-6301
yuen@uab.edu

Detailed Description

Paralysis in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to grief from the loss of physical capacity, social or occupational role function, and life goals. Expressive emotional writing (EEW) provides an outlet for these individuals to explore and express feelings and emotions that arise from their losses related to limb paralysis. Using a randomized controlled trial design, the proposed project will attempt to confirm the benefits of an online coach-guided EEW program for improving psychosocial health among adults with SCI. Benefits of participating in the program will be evaluated using validated assessments to measure reduction of grief intensity and improvement in other psychosocial dimensions and social participation.