Post-operative course after papilloma resection: effects of written disclosure of the experience in subject with different alexithymia levels

Objective: The aim of the investigation was to assess the effects on post-operative course after bladder papilloma resection of a technique for the written disclosure of traumatic events, in interaction with individual differences in alexithymia. Method: 40 Ss. were administered a general questionnaire and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) the second day after admittance. 20 Ss. were asked to write for 3 days, 20 minutes a day, about their experience of being in hospital, following instructions developed by J.W. Pennebaker and co-workers. The post-operative course was assessed objectively by the duration of stay in hospital and subjectively by Ss. completing the Symptom Check List 90 (SCL 90) the day before leaving hospital. Results: Ss. who wrote stayed fewer days in hospital and showed lower SCL 90 scores. The same effect was shown by low alexithymia levels. Study of interactions showed that the effect of writing was apparent only in Ss. high in alexithymia, while Ss. low in alexithymia showed a favourable course independent of writing. Conclusions: Writing about one's thoughts and feelings about being in hospital for a surgical operation shows beneficial effects on post-operative course. This holds particularly true for high alexithymic Ss., who obtain through writing the same outcome as low alexithymic Ss.