Recruiting

Expressive Writing

Sponsor:

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Code:

NCT06147258

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries

Transverse Myelitis

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

expressive writing

Study Details

Brief summary:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of a 10-week online coach-guided EEWP on psychosocial health among adults with SCI.

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries

Transverse Myelitis

Study ID

NCT06147258

Start date

May 3, 2024

Status verified date

Dec, 2025

Completion date

Dec 31, 2026

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Dec 31, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria: (1) diagnosis (with evidence) of SCI (traumatic or non-traumatic) with limb weakness; (2) aged > 18 years; (3) access to the internet and a computer or to a smartphone that can perform videoconferencing, (4) sufficient English language and cognitive proficiency to complete self-report study questionnaires and understand program content in English, and able to communicate verbally or through writing.

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Exclusion Criteria: (1) severe cognitive impairments that prevent online learning and completion of the evaluation; (2) suicidal intent requiring emergency care; (3) consistent psychotherapy within the last 6 months; (4) current or planned participation in psychological therapy or a clinical trial during the study period that could affect the outcomes of the study; or (5) congenital SCI (e.g., spinal bifida)

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Study Design

Enrollment

60 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Expressive writing

Participation in a 10 weekly virtual expressive writing with 1 session per week

no intervention: Waitlist control

Participation in usual daily activities

Interventions

expressive writing

A typical session will begin with the teaching artist (i.e., writing coach) introducing a new writing theme. Participants will have at least 20 minutes to write, and each session will include post-writing reflections and sharing, an undirected supportive interaction among participants.

Primary outcome measure

  • Grief and Loss Scale [ Time Frame: baseline, 11 weeks, 3-month follow-up ]
  • Impact of Events Scale [ Time Frame: baseline, 11 weeks, 3-month follow-up ]
  • Emotional Distress - Depression [ Time Frame: baseline, 11 weeks, 3-month follow-up ]
  • Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) [ Time Frame: baseline, 11 weeks, 3-month follow-up ]
  • Sleep Disturbance [ Time Frame: baseline, 11 weeks, 3-month follow-up ]
  • Sleep Impact [ Time Frame: baseline, 11 weeks, 3-month follow-up ]
  • Meaning and Purpose [ Time Frame: baseline, 11 weeks, 3-month follow-up ]
  • Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Conditions - Managing Emotions [ Time Frame: baseline, 11 weeks, 3-month follow-up ]
  • Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities [ Time Frame: baseline, 11 weeks, 3-month follow-up ]
  • Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities [ Time Frame: baseline, 11 weeks, 3-month follow-up ]
  • Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale [ Time Frame: baseline, 11 weeks, 3-month follow-up ]
  • Cortisol level [ Time Frame: baseline, 11 weeks, 3-month follow-up ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Hon Yuen, PhD

205-934-6301yuen@uab.edu

Kimberly K

205-934-0862kkirklin@uab.edu

Locations

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Recruiting

Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35294

Principal Investigator:

Hon K Yuen, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Last update posted

Dec 24, 2025

Last verified

Dec, 2025

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Alabama at Birmingham on 2025-12-24.