Expressive Writing for Blood Cancer

This trial explores the impact of an expressive writing workshop on mental wellness in people with blood cancer. Participants will join a four-week online writing workshop and complete three surveys over 12 weeks to track changes in their mental health. The trial compares those who start the workshop immediately with those who join after a four-week wait. It suits young adults with blood cancer or their caregivers who live in the U.S., Canada, or U.S. territories and can read and write in English. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance mental wellness strategies for blood cancer patients.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems likely that you can continue your medications, as the study focuses on expressive writing and mental wellness.

Previous studies have shown that participants have responded positively to expressive writing workshops. Research indicates that these workshops can reduce cancer-related symptoms and enhance overall well-being. Participants typically report few, if any, negative side effects, suggesting that the workshops are safe for individuals with blood cancer.

Unlike traditional treatments for blood cancer that often involve chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted drug therapies, expressive writing offers a unique, non-pharmaceutical approach. Researchers are excited about this technique because it focuses on emotional and psychological well-being, which can be crucial for patients dealing with the stress and mental burden of cancer. The expressive writing workshop encourages patients to articulate their thoughts and feelings, potentially improving their overall quality of life and complementing traditional medical treatments without adding physical side effects.

Research has shown that expressive writing can benefit people with cancer. Studies have found that this writing can reduce cancer-related symptoms and enhance both physical and mental health. For instance, participants in expressive writing programs reported fewer symptoms and less fatigue, along with improved overall physical health. In this trial, participants in the Primary Intervention Group will engage in an Expressive Writing Workshop to assess its impact on mental well-being for people with blood cancer, potentially easing their cancer journey.¹⁶⁷⁸⁹