AIM's Writing for Healing: A Workshop for Individuals Living With Paralysis

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · Jan 21, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The AIM's Writing for Healing workshop is a clinical trial designed to help adults living with paralysis from neurological conditions, such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This program focuses on using expressive writing as a way to cope with emotional challenges and improve overall well-being. The trial is currently recruiting participants aged 18 and older who have experienced paralysis due to a traumatic event or neurological disease, as well as caregivers of individuals with ALS.

Participants can expect to join writing workshops that provide a supportive space to share their experiences and feelings. To be eligible, individuals must be able to communicate verbally or through writing and meet certain criteria regarding their paralysis. However, those with specific behavioral issues or congenital conditions will not be included in the study. This trial offers a unique opportunity for individuals facing paralysis to explore their emotions and connect with others in similar situations through the power of writing.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Age 18 or older with paralysis living in the community
• • 2. limb paralysis resulting from a traumatic event/accident or neurological disease (e.g., spinal cord injury, head injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Transverse myelitis, poliomyelitis, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson's disease, ALS, botulism, and Guillain-Barré syndrome etc) happened after childhood
• • 3. a non-traumatic spinal cord injury may be caused by arthritis, cancer, inflammation, infections or disk degeneration of the spine
• • 4. caregivers of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• • 5. able to communicate verbally or through writing
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. known maladaptive behavioral patterns, exhibition of overt psychotic symptoms (e.g., presence of hallucinations, delusions, or thought disorders)
• • 2. congenital (e.g., spinal bifida, cerebral palsy)