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Structured education program improves the coping with atopic dermatitis in children and their parents-a multicenter,
Joerg Kupfer1, Uwe Gieler, Thomas L Diepgen
1Institute of Medical Psychology, J-L-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|March 24, 2010
Summary
This study found that a training program significantly improved coping behaviors in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and their parents. These psychological benefits were observed independently of the disease severity scores.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Behavioral Psychology
- Health Intervention Studies
Background:
- Atopic dermatitis (AD) significantly impacts children's quality of life and parental well-being.
- Psychological coping mechanisms and parental handling are crucial for managing AD.
- Existing interventions often focus on disease severity, with less emphasis on psychological adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the training-specific psychological effects of a disease management program for children with AD and their parents.
- To determine if the intervention yields benefits beyond improvements in AD severity (SCORAD).
- To assess changes in children's cognitions about itching/scratching and parental coping strategies.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial comparing a training group with a waiting control group.
- Inclusion of 185 children (aged 8-12) with AD and their parents.
- Assessment of AD severity (SCORAD), children's itching-scratching cognitions, children's coping behavior, and parental handling at 1-year follow-up.
- Statistical analysis using ANCOVA with SCORAD change scores as a covariate to isolate psychological benefits.
Main Results:
- The training group demonstrated significantly improved children's coping behavior and enhanced parental handling of AD.
- Psychological benefits were evident in children's itching-scratching cognitions.
- Parents in the training group showed improvements in three out of four assessed handling scales.
- These positive psychological outcomes were observed independently of changes in AD severity scores.
Conclusions:
- The tested training program demonstrated broad psychological benefits for children with AD and their parents.
- The intervention's positive impact extends to cognitive and behavioral aspects of disease management.
- Psychological improvements are not solely contingent on the reduction of AD severity (SCORAD).
