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Pawar P, Xie SM, Varghese AR, Smith A, Gao J, Kamp EV, Kirklin K, Jones BA, Meador WR, Yuen HK. Exploring the Therapeutic Role of Coach-Guided Videoconferencing Expressive Writing in Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2025; 13:1104. [PMID: 40427941 PMCID: PMC12111252 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13101104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2025] [Revised: 04/28/2025] [Accepted: 05/07/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Emotional changes significantly affect people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), often leading to negative psychological symptoms including grief. Effective management of these symptoms can foster personal growth, increase confidence, and renew hope. While expressive writing has demonstrated psychological benefits in processing trauma and chronic conditions, its effects on PwMS remain underexplored. This study aimed to address this gap by examining the experiences of PwMS who participated in a 10-week coach-guided videoconferencing expressive writing program. Methods: Twenty-five adults with MS from 10 different states across the United States participated in a 10-week coach-guided videoconferencing expressive writing program. After they completed the program, participants were interviewed individually via Zoom using a structured guide. Interviews explored participants' experiences and perceptions of the program. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis within a phenomenological framework. Results: Analysis revealed four themes reflecting therapeutic benefits received from the expressive writing program. These themes included Improved Emotional Processing, Promoting Healing; Therapeutic Coping; Radical Acceptance Through Deeper Understanding and Self-Forgiveness; and Empowerment Through Self-Discovery and Transformation. Conclusions: The findings highlight participants' psychological progression from emotional processing to transformation, emphasizing the program's role in guiding them through their experiences of grief and other emotions related to their MS. This process provided them with both a sense of empowerment and a renewed outlook on life. Results suggest that expressive writing is a promising intervention that offers PwMS an accessible tool for emotional well-being and self-discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purva Pawar
- School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Shelly M. Xie
- UAB Arts in Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (S.M.X.); (E.V.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Angel R. Varghese
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Adrian Smith
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, SHPB 354, 1720 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Jie Gao
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Science, School of Health Professions (SHP), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Elizabeth Vander Kamp
- UAB Arts in Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (S.M.X.); (E.V.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Kimberly Kirklin
- UAB Arts in Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (S.M.X.); (E.V.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Benjamin A. Jones
- Division of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, Department of Neurology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA (W.R.M.)
| | - William R. Meador
- Division of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, Department of Neurology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA (W.R.M.)
| | - Hon K. Yuen
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, SHPB 354, 1720 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
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