IngentaConnect Enhanced wound healing after emotional disclosure intervention

Authors: Weinman, John¹; Ebrecht, Marcel¹; Scott, Suzanne¹; Walburn, Jessica¹; Dyson, Mary²

Source: British Journal of Health Psychology, Volume 13, Number 1, February 2008 , pp. 95-102(8)

Publisher: British Psychological Society

Abstract:

ObjectivesPsychological stress is believed to impair wound healing via a down-regulation of the immune system. Since previous research suggests that disclosure of tra-umatic experiences can result in an up-regulation of immune function, the present study aimed to investigate the impact of a disclosure intervention on the progress of wound healing.

DesignThe study used a prospective, longitudinal design with random assignment to the control (writing about time management) and experimental group (writing about a traumatic event).

MethodsParticipants (N=36) completed questionnaires measuring perceived and emotional distress, loneliness, self-esteem, social support, dispositional optimism, and health-related behaviours. Accurate indication of the healing of a small punch biopsy wound was determined by using a high-resolution ultrasound scanner.

ResultsRepeated measures ANOVA indicated that the disclosure intervention impacted wound healing. Participants who wrote about traumatic events had significantly smaller wounds 14 and 21 days after the biopsy compared with those who wrote about time management.

ConclusionsIt is concluded that a relatively brief and easy to administer intervention can have beneficial effects on wound healing. The potential for use in patient samples is indicated.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1348/135910707X251207

Affiliations: 1: Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK 2: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA

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