Virtual Poetry Workshops to Enhance Patient Well Being and Reduce Anxiety

Upon hearing a diagnosis, patients can feel overwhelmed and apprehensive as they experience a loss of control over their current state of health. This psychological discomfort combined with often life-threatening symptoms can result in increased anxiety levels in patients. While patient anxiety levels remain a critical issue for investigation, patients diagnosed with illnesses such as cancer often experience a lack of attention from providers towards their psychological wellbeing (Rickett et al. 2011). As a result, patients can feel consumed by their emotions and find difficulty in navigating the psychological complexities of a diagnosis.

The arts, especially poetry, can provide a powerful vessel through which patients can authentically and vulnerably communicate the myriad of emotions they experience. While poetry may not alter the reality of a diagnosis, it can help shift the patient's attitude from one of fear to one of hope. In addition, the active practice of writing poetry can present an opportunity for patients to regain a sense of control and recognize how their identity is more than their diagnosis.

Moreover, patients are rarely asked "What does this all mean to you?" when they are diagnosed with an illness (Rickett et al. 2011). Poetry workshops can serve as a "transformational space" where patients can reflect on their illness journey and seek meaning in their experiences (Rickett et al. 2011). In addition, poetry workshops can offer opportunities for community building and engagement which "is rare within the highly clinical treatment environment" (Tegner et al. 2009). By sharing poems with one another, patients can seek unity in their experiences and lend support to one another, leading to reductions in isolation. It has been reported that poetry can enhance skills such as listening, attentiveness, and observation which are all critical for relationship building (Barrett et al. 2020).

Previous studies have assessed the effects of poetry workshops on patients with serious illnesses; however, the need for more information surrounding this interdisciplinary approach remains pertinent. One study found that poetry therapy interventions improved both emotional resilience and anxiety in cancer patients (Tegner et. al 2009). In another study, poetry intervention was reported to have led to significant decreases in sadness, worry, and fatigue in hospitalized pediatric patients (Delamerced 2021).

This study aims to take both a qualitative and quantitative approach to understanding how poetry workshops can foster community, lessen anxiety, and enhance emotional well-being among patients diagnosed with at least moderate dyspepsia and moderate anxiety or depression

Inclusion criteria

• • At least 18 years old

• Ability to provide informed consent
• Able to speak and understand English
• Able to attend virtual poetry workshops
• Willing to share at least 3 poems at the end of the study with the study team
• Have access to a high-speed internet connection and smart phone or computer
• Willing to participate in group activity if randomized to the facilitated workshops
• At least moderate dyspepsia assessed by the Dyspepsia questionnaire (at least one of the following symptoms with moderate or worse severity- nausea, vomiting, early satiety, post prandial fullness AND
• At least moderate anxiety or depression assessed by HADS questionnaire. The HADS score has 2 subscores- HADS-A for anxiety and HADS-D for depression. A score of ≥ 21 indicates moderate anxiety and will be required to be eligible for the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Unable to speak English or participate in virtual sessions
• Younger than 18 years old