The effect of expressive writing on the error-related negativity among individuals with chronic worry.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Controlled experimental trial comparing expressive writing to a control writing condition
PubMed 28884815 · doi:10.1111/psyp.12990
What was done
Researchers tested whether an expressive writing intervention could reduce the error-related negativity (ERN)—an event-related potential elicited immediately after errors that is typically enlarged in anxiety—among individuals with chronic worry. Participants completed either expressive writing or an unrelated writing control task.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, effect sizes, or test statistics. It notes that ERN amplitude was reduced in the expressive writing group relative to the control writing group.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that a brief expressive writing intervention can modulate neural correlates of error processing in chronically anxious individuals, potentially by reducing the cognitive load of worry on working memory.
Limits
The abstract omits sample size, participant demographics, specific screening criteria, quantitative statistical findings, and whether group allocation was randomized. Long-term behavioral or clinical outcomes were not reported.
Cited by
- supports Expressive writing reduces cognitive load.