Vision for improvement: Expressive writing as an intervention for people with Stargardt's disease, a rare eye disease

Jennifer L. Bryan, Qian Lu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study implemented and evaluated the effectiveness of an expressive writing intervention among patients with Stargardt's disease, a rare disease due to macular degeneration. Participants were randomly assigned to either an expressive writing intervention or a neutral writing condition. Participants completed measures at three time points: baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks post-intervention. Psychological health outcomes improved at the 3-week follow-up for the intervention condition compared to control. Self-reported physical health improved at the 6-week follow-up in the intervention condition compared to control. These results suggest that expressive writing may be an effective, practical, and low-cost intervention for those with Stargardt's disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)709-719
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Health Psychology
Volume21
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • cost-effectiveness
  • disability
  • distress
  • intervention
  • physical symptoms

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Psychology

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