Wounds heal more quickly if patients are relieved of stress

Writing about emotional events can speed up the rate at which wounds heal, according to a study carried out by Suzanne Scott and colleagues from the Unit of Psychology, King's College, London, and presented at the annual conference of the British Psychological Society's health division this week.

Previous research by psychologists has found that disclosure of traumatic experiences has a positive effect on the immune system. But, according to Ms Scott, a doctoral student, this study takes those findings one step further by showing a clear physical effect as a result of an emotional release.

Half of the 36 participants were required to write...