Therapeutic Writing for Adults Suffering From Chronic Pain and Comorbid Mental Health Disorders

ConditionsChronic Pain Mental Health Disorder Psychiatric &Amp;Amp;or Mood Disorder Psychiatric Comorbidities Psychiatric Diagnosis Emotional Pain Emotional Distress Emotion Regulation Emotional Processing Meaning of Life Meaning Made Meaning of Life and Life Satisfaction Depressive Disorder Anxiety Disorders Sleep Disorder Comorbid Depression Process, Acceptance

Trial statusNot yet recruiting

Trial phaseNot applicable

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexFemale

Age18+

SponsorToni Salikka

About this trial

The goal of this observational study is to understand the effects and experiences of therapeutic writing interventions in adult women with chronic pain and co-occurring mental health conditions. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Can therapeutic writing help relieve chronic pain and emotional distress?

How does writing support emotional processing, regulation, and meaning-making during rehabilitation?

Participants will take part in a two-part writing intervention involving:

Guided writing exercises that focus on emotional processing, emotion regulation, and creating meaning.

Individual interviews after the writing sessions to explore their experiences.

The study uses qualitative analysis methods-phenomenology and logotherapy-to better understand how these writing interventions may support recovery, improve well-being, and offer non-pharmacological tools for managing chronic pain and mental health challenges.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Adult women (18 years or older), assigned female at birth and self-identify as women

Diagnosed with or experience of chronic, widespread (non-cancer) pain lasting at least two years

Diagnosed with or living with one or more mild mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, mild depression), without current or past severe psychiatric conditions

Diagnosed with or experience of nociplastic pain (e.g., fibromyalgia)

Disqualifiers

Presence of severe mental health disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, or other psychotic conditions)

Use of medications known to impair memory, attention, or decision-making (e.g., benzodiazepines, anticholinergics, opioids, antipsychotics)

Participation in other concurrent treatments that may influence study outcomes

Cognitive limitations that would hinder meaningful engagement in the writing intervention

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

Therapeutic Writing Intervention in Pain Rehabilitation

Treatment groups

5 Participants

are divided into 1 treatment group

Sponsors and collaborators

Toni Salikka

Lead sponsor

Tampere University

Sponsor institution

Source ClinicalTrials.gov