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Internet-Based Expressive Writing for Kidney Transplant Recipients: Effects on Posttraumatic Stress and Quality of Life
Journal article

Internet-Based Expressive Writing for Kidney Transplant Recipients: Effects on Posttraumatic Stress and Quality of Life

Kyle Possemato, Paige Ouimette and Pamela A Geller
Traumatology (Tallahassee, Fla.), v 16(1), pp 49-54
Mar 2010

Abstract

PTSD kidney transplant expressive writing quality of life posttraumatic stress disorder
Transplantation can be conceptualized as a traumatic stressor that may lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and poorer quality of life (QOL). This pilot study examined an Internet-based expressive writing (EW) intervention adapted for kidney transplant recipients with the goal of improving transplant-related PTSD and QOL and general health-related QOL. Forty-eight participants were randomly assigned to EW or medical fact writing conditions. Internet-based EW was found to be feasible, to be safe, and to lead to significantly better transplant-related QOL. Both writing groups showed a decrease in PTSD severity, with the expressive writers demonstrating a trend toward significantly less PTSD arousal symptoms. This pilot study provides initial support for the use of Internet-based EW with medical patients.

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