The effect of expressive writing on anxiety sensitivity and severity of symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

To determine the effect of written expression of emotions on anxiety sensitivity and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

It is a controlled clinical trial with parallel groups on 72 patients that are blinded and randomized. For randomization, the double-blinding method was used using the envelope in the package.

After obtaining the necessary approval, the patients with irritable bowel syndrome who met the inclusion criteria, referred to the gastrointestinal clinics of Firoozgar and Rasoul Akram hospitals, were selected by the researcher. Subsequently, participants entered the study after giving them thorough explanations and obtaining informed consent. Study questionnaires were completed before and one month after the intervention. The experimental group received a white booklet to write their expression. The control group received only routine care. Telephone follow-ups were performed weekly for both groups.

criteria into the study: Having irritable bowel syndrome based on a doctor's diagnosis, willingness of patients to participate in the study, Be literate enough. Exclusion criteria: Patients who do not participate in pre-test or post-test evaluations, Not writing in the booklet more than 2 times or a total of 4 sessions.

The experimental group received a white booklet describing their feelings and concerns about irritable bowel syndrome. Patients write their feelings at home by expressing their emotions in the booklet once a week for 15 to 30 minutes once a week for a month. The control group provided only routine care by clinic staff. they received.

The effect of written emotional expression on Anxiety sensitivity and Severity of gastrointestinal symptoms (before intervention, 1 month after intervention)

Continuous method was used for selection and double blind method was used to allocate the participants to the study and control groups. In this way, the researcher writes different states of the two groups (4 modes: 1. control-intervention; 2. Intervention – control; 3. Intervention – intervention; 4. Control - control) on 4 note cards and puts each in an envelope. These envelopes were placed in a box and the researcher did not know in which group the participant would be placed until the card was chosen. Before assigning, encountering the research units, the researcher removed one of the envelopes from the box to determine which group of patients were included in the study, respectively. This process continued until all 4 cards were taken out of the box, then the cards were returned to the box and the random selection of cards was repeated. The sampling process continued until the desired sample volume was completed and then stopped.

The study was single blinded; individuals were not aware of the study hypotheses or that there were writing condition. Participants were aware that they were consenting to take part in a writing intervention that could reduce their symptoms.

Research findings and results file (only part of the data such as information about the main outcome or the like can be shared).

Start of access period after the publication of the article (late 1399)

Researchers working in academic and scientific institutions

In this study, no studies and/or judgments were made about patients 'writings as well as their content analysis. only the information related to the participants' unidentifiable questionnaire file was statistically analyzed (using SPSS software version 16 with a level of significance of 0.05) in two sections of descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings and results of the present study will be allowed to be used in other related research at a broader level and reference in other studies.

1. Dr. Alice Khachian / E-mail address khachian.a@iums.ac.ir 2. Marzieh Borjian (Master student of Internal Surgery Nursing, Iran University of Medical Sciences) / E-mail address: M.Borjian@yahoo.com Address of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery: Tehran, Vali Asr St., above Vanak Sq., Rashid Yasemi St. Faculty Contact Number: 021-43651000 / Postal Code: 1996713883 / Fax: 882011978

To receive the documentation file of the present study, applicants can send their request to use and determine how the findings of this research are used in their study, to the above-mentioned e-mail addresses. Will be provided to them.