The effect of disclosive writing on psychological responses and subjective and objective outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rehabilitation
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of disclosive writing on subjective and objective measures of rehabilitation progress in a population of patients recovering from ACL surgery and examine potential mechanisms producing those effects. Participants were 30 physically active sportsmedicine clinic patients who were equally divided into experimental (n = 15; x = 23.33 ± 8.74 years) and control (n = 15; x = 30.13 ± 13.43 years) groups. Experimental group participants were requested to write about their rehabilitation experience and the status of their knee. Control group participants were requested to write about their dietary intake during the previous 3 days. Writing samples were then collected over a 2 month period at four stages during the rehabilitation process. Questionnaires included the Profile of Mood States and assessments of rehabilitation self- efficacy, barriers self-efficacy, and rumination. Analyses revealed that experimental group subjects were performing significantly more step-ups and had significantly higher rehabilitation efficacy compared to controls. The higher experimental subjects were subjectively rating their knee, the fewer negative phrases were exhibited in their writing. Finally, the proposed mediator relationships were not confirmed and a cathartic effect of disclosive writing was not supported.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Duda, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Psychotherapy|Rehabilitation|Therapy|Sports medicine
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