Effect of information provision on trauma symptoms following therapeutic writing

An investigation of the efficacy of online expressive writing for trauma-related psychological distress in Hispanic individuals

This study compared the efficacy of 2 online expressive writing protocols for a traumatic/stressful life event in a Hispanic student sample. Participants who had reported a traumatic event were randomly assigned to either the emotion-focused group or the fact-focused group. The emotion-focused group focused their written accounts on emotions and feelings as well as facts about a stressful/traumatic experience, whereas the fact-focused group focused on facts of a stressful/traumatic event. Both groups completed 3 online writing sessions scheduled for 3 consecutive days, a 1-week online follow-up assessment, and a 5-week online follow-up assessment. Both groups statistically significantly reduced trauma symptoms over time with the emotion-focused group demonstrating statistically significantly greater trauma symptom reductions than the fact-focused group at the 5-week follow-up assessment.

Traumatic injury and traumatic stress

STUDY DESIGN

To review findings from recent research in consideration of relevant theoretical models between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and pain, and to review emerging interventions and prevention options for PTSD in individuals with whiplash.

OBJECTIVE

A traumatic accident may lead to whiplash injury, but can also frequently lead to post-traumatic stress. There is concern that this occurrence is more problematic than each disorder separately. Furthermore, it is unclear why this might occur. This review addresses two mechanisms that might explain this, specifically arousal and pain.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

There is a growing body of research revealing relationships between injury, pain and psychological trauma with important implications for the prevention and management of chronic pain and post-traumatic reactions. Intervention for PTSD in the context of whiplash has been shown to be effective, and seems to have a beneficial effect on the whiplash injury. The intervention for traumatic stress in acute whiplash presents further challenges.

METHODS

This chapter will review findings from recent research in consideration of relevant theoretical models between PTSD and pain in general and more specifically in the case of pain resulting from whiplash injury. A review of emerging interventions and prevention options for PTSD in individuals with whiplash will also be discussed to provide a basis for treatment of individuals and future research.

RESULTS

Recent work in this area suggests that stress, pain and arousal interact through the effects of tissue injury and the distress in response to perceived threat. Post-traumatic stress plays an important role in a significant proportion of whiplash sufferers as its presence seems to deleteriously impact recovery.

CONCLUSION

Intervention for PTSD in the context of whiplash has been shown to be effective, and seems to have a beneficial effect on the whiplash injury. The intervention for traumatic stress in acute whiplash presents further challenges.

Information-provision intervention for children and their parents following pediatric accidental injury

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated an early intervention for children and their parents following pediatric accidental injury.

METHOD

Information booklets provided to participants within 72 h of the initial trauma detailed common responses to trauma, the common time course of symptoms, and suggestions for minimizing any post-trauma distress. Following admission for traumatic injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents, falls and sporting injuries a total of 103 children (aged 7-15) and their parents were evaluated at pre-intervention, 1 month, and 6 months post-trauma. The intervention (N = 33) was delivered to one of two hospitals, the second hospital was the control (N = 70).

RESULTS

Analyses indicated that the intervention reduced child anxiety symptoms at 1-month follow-up and parental posttraumatic intrusion symptoms and overall posttraumatic symptoms at the 6-month follow-up. No other differences between the intervention and control groups were found.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the information-based early intervention is simple, cost-effective method of reducing child and parent distress post-trauma.