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30.06.2020 | Original Article

Effect of prolonged expressive writing on health outcomes in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

verfasst von: Yanni Wu, Liping Liu, Wanting Zheng, Chunrao Zheng, Min Xu, Xiaohong Chen, Wenji Li, Lijun Xie, Pengyan Zhang, Xiaoli Zhu, Chuanglian Zhan, Chunlan Zhou

Erschienen in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Ausgabe 2/2021

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the effects of prolonged expressive writing on health outcomes in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to help understand how the dosage of an expressive writing intervention might moderate its effects.

Methods

A total of 112 breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were randomly allocated to the expressive writing group (n = 56) or the prolonged expressive writing group (n = 56). The expressive writing group received the standard expressive writing intervention based on Pennebaker’s prompt to write for at least 20 min over four consecutive days (4 sessions). The prolonged expressive writing group used a modified prompt: write for at least 20 min 3 times a week over a 4-week period (12 sessions); patients could choose whether to write on consecutive days or not. All participants were required to write about their stressor-related upsetting or traumatic feelings about breast cancer. Outcomes were assessed and compared at baseline, as well as 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postintervention.

Results

There was no significant difference in the patients’ quality of life, or physical and psychological wellbeing between the expressive writing group and the prolonged expressive writing group at any time point (all p > .05). The quality of life of breast cancer patients significantly decreased in the two groups over time (F = 40.64, p < .001).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the writing dosage does not moderate the effects of expressive writing on breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Trial registration

ChiCTR1800016278

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Titel: Effect of prolonged expressive writing on health outcomes in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a multicenter randomized controlled trial
verfasst von: Yanni Wu
Liping Liu
Wanting Zheng
Chunrao Zheng
Min Xu
Xiaohong Chen
Wenji Li
Lijun Xie
Pengyan Zhang
Xiaoli Zhu
Chuanglian Zhan
Chunlan Zhou
Publikationsdatum: 30.06.2020
Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Ausgabe 2/2021
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Elektronische ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05590-y

Springer Medizin

Effect of prolonged expressive writing on health outcomes in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a multicenter randomized controlled trial