The Effect of Written Emotional Disclosure on Pain-Related Disability Perception and Life Satisfaction in Women with Chronic Lumbar Disc Herniation

Abstract

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effects of the Written Emotional Disclosure Paradigm (WEDP) on life satisfaction and perceived pain-related disability in women with lumbar disc herniation and chronic pain. The sample consisted of 20 women aged 18–65 years, diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation and experiencing chronic pain for at least six months. Participants were voluntarily recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10). The experimental group was instructed to write about their emotions and thoughts related to stressful or traumatic experiences for 15–20 minutes per day over four consecutive days, whereas the control group wrote about neutral daily routines without emotional content. All participants completed pre- and post-test assessments. Outcome measures included the Quebec Pain Disability Index and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Following the intervention, the experimental group showed an increase in life satisfaction scores and a trend toward decreased pain-related disability; however, these differences were not statistically significant. The findings are discussed in light of existing literature, with implications for clinical practice, study limitations, and directions for future research regarding the adjunctive role of WEDP in the medical management of chronic lumbar disc herniation.