The effects of Pennebaker’s writing technique on pregnancy rates, alexithymia and psycho-physical health in couples subjected to assisted reproductive treatment.

W.H.O. data report that 15-20% of couples suffer from fertility problems. Aim of this study was to assess the effects of Pennebaker’s writing technique on treatment success (pregnancy rates), alexithymia and psycho-physical health in couples subjected to an assisted reproductive treatment (ART). 79 women admitted for ART in a medical centre were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental one, where women wrote for three times about their deepest thoughts and emotions concerning the infertility experience, and a control group where women didn’t write. Women and men of both groups completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the TAS-20 and SCL-90-R before and after the writing sessions. Separated analyses for groups of men and women were conducted. Regarding women, analysis showed a significant reduction in the TAS-20 “Difficulty Identifying Feelings” score (p=.01) and in the SCL-90R “Paranoid Ideation” score (p=.04), after writing. Reductions in the TAS-20 Total score (p=.06) and in the “Externally-Oriented Thinking” score (p=.01) were also found in the group of men whose wives wrote. 10 pregnancies in the experimental group versus 5 of the control group after ART were reported (p=.13). The rate of treatment success in couples who refused to participate in the study (0) was compared with total success of both experimental and control groups (15) and a significant difference was found (p=.04). Findings support the usefulness of the writing technique during ART in promoting emotional awareness and in reducing hostility and suspiciousness. A trend in the expected direction was found regarding treatment success and this is encouraging for the continuation of the work.