Written expressive disclosure in adults with irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The benefits of written expressive disclosure (WED) to health are documented in a variety of healthy and clinical populations. This study investigates the effect of WED on health-related outcomes in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Methods

Adults (N = 189) meeting Rome III criteria for IBS were randomly assigned to write about their: (1) deepest thoughts and feelings about the most stressful life event of the past five years (n = 67), (2) deepest thoughts and feelings about their IBS (n = 61) or (3) daily activities in an objective manner (control condition; n = 61). Participants completed four 20-min writing sessions over 2-6 weeks. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, healthcare utilization, health-related quality of life (HR-QOL), pain catastrophizing, and pain self-

SUBMITTER: Laird KT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8172117 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature