An experimental assessment of a Pennebaker writing intervention in primary insomnia

Mooney, P., Espie, C.A. and Broomfield, N.M. (2009) An experimental assessment of a Pennebaker writing intervention in primary insomnia. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 7(2), pp. 99-105. (doi: 10.1080/15402000902762386)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15402000902762386

Abstract

This study considers the role of pre-sleep cognitive arousal, worry, and inhibition in sleep onset difficulties. The Pennebaker writing task, which promotes emotional processing by asking people to write about their thoughts, worries, and emotions, has proven effective in several areas of health. Here, the paradigm's ability to reduce pre-sleep cognitive arousal (PSCA) and sleep onset latency (SOL) in people with insomnia was tested. Twenty-eight people with insomnia were randomized to three nights of Pennebaker writing or a control condition, following a one-night baseline. The outcomes of change over baseline at Day 4 in pre-sleep cognitive arousal and SOL were compared. Writing significantly reduced pre-sleep cognitive arousal on one out of two measures, but did not significantly reduce SOL.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:outcomes, sleep, written emotional disclosure
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Espie, Professor Colin and Broomfield, Dr Niall
Authors: Mooney, P., Espie, C.A., and Broomfield, N.M.
Subjects:R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
Research Group:Psychobiological Research
Journal Name:Behavioral Sleep Medicine
ISSN:1540-2002

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