Expressive writing in patients receiving palliative care: a feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care Research
• Psychosocial Oncology
• Clinical Trial Design

Background:

• Advanced cancer patients experience significant physical and psychosocial distress.
• Limited resources exist for psychological and emotional support in palliative care.
• Expressive writing has previously reduced anxiety in healthy populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of expressive writing interventions for palliative care patients.
• To identify suitable outcome measures for expressive writing in this population.

Main Methods:

• Pilot study with randomized assignment to expressive writing (EW) or neutral writing (NW) groups.
• Anxiety levels (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) measured pre- and post-writing sessions.
• Writing content analyzed qualitatively.

Main Results:

• 24 patients enrolled; high adherence to baseline, but only 8% completed the 2-week study.
• No significant difference in State-Anxiety scores between EW and NW groups.
• Rapid accrual suggests patient interest in such studies.

Conclusions:

• Expressive writing clinical trials in palliative care are not feasible with current methods.
• Future studies require improved adherence strategies and patient selection (e.g., better performance status).
• Modified methods, such as audio recording, may enhance emotional expression and participation.