Writing away the pain: new study tests expressive writing for cancer patients
NCT ID NCT07567157
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study explores whether a simple writing exercise can help people living with or after cancer feel better emotionally. Participants will write about their cancer experience in four sessions, either with a compassionate prompt or a standard one. Researchers will measure changes in self-compassion, quality of life, and overall well-being. The goal is to see if this low-cost, self-guided activity can ease the emotional burden of cancer.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 50 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Dec 2025
- Expected to finish
-
May 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * To have experienced an internal or external change to their body due to any form of cancer and/or its treatment at any point in their lives. * To be 18 or older. * The ability to read and write in English. * To have the ability to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Distress levels that make participation safe or inappropriate due to cancer prognosis or a mental health condition. (This is flagged by the score on the IES questionnaire.) * Inability to realistically commit to a 4-week intervention due to poor physical or mental health or other personal commitments. * Inability to provide informed consent.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Cancer are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust
RECRUITINGTruro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, United Kingdom
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can colorectal surgery patients go home in two days?
- Can a personal navigator help young cancer patients through treatment?
- Can a smartwatch predict which cancer patients return to hospital?
- Two-Drug combo aims to stall advanced breast cancer
- Blood thinner flush could boost tumor biopsy success
- Could a frailty score predict which older cancer patients survive intensive care?