Pen to paper: daily writing may soothe anxiety and depression

NCT ID NCT06130020

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Trustees of Princeton University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether writing about your deepest thoughts and feelings for 15 minutes a day over two weeks can help reduce anxiety and depression in young adults. Participants were split into three groups: writing to themselves, writing to a loved one, or writing a factual daily routine. The goal was to see which approach works best. Results could help develop a simple, free mental health tool.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: expressive writing exercises
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, free way to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms using daily writing.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study with 160 people, and past research on expressive writing has mixed results. The effect may be small or not last long.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ANXIETY are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety anxiety disorder Depression depressive disorder Psychological Well-Being

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ANXIETY DEPRESSION HEALTHY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Peretsman Scully Hall

Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.