Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Author Spotlight: A Novel Setup to Conduct Naturalistic Laboratory Experiments with Real Human Actors in Scenarios
Published on: August 4, 2023
A novel cognitive stress management technique for acne vulgaris: a short report of a pilot experimental study
Foteini Chatzikonstantinou1, Anastasia Miskedaki1, Christina Antoniou2
1Postgraduate Course Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Background:
Acne vulgaris (AV) is one of the most common disorders treated by dermatologists and other healthcare providers. Stress is a well-attested contributor to AV pathogenesis. However, to our knowledge, stress management has not yet been performed in AV patients. In this 8-week experimental study, we primarily examined the effectiveness of a novel method, dubbed Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention (PSAI) in AV.
Methods:
This is a two-armed 1 : 1 randomized non-blind experimental study. The total sample was comprised of 15 female patients in the intervention group (mean age 27.2 ± 6.6) and 15 female patients in the control group (mean age 29.1 ± 6.9), all women. Measurements included clinical stage of AV, acne-related quality of life, perceived stress, and positive and negative affect assessed by validated self-administered tools.
Results:
Fourteen (93.3%) patients in the intervention group and four (26.7%) patients in the control group showed improvement of the acne stage (relative risk: 3.5, 95% CI 1.5-8.2, P = 0.001). Significant improvements remained after adjusting for age and baseline acne stage. Large to moderate significant effects were observed for perceived stress and negative affect. There were no dropouts and side effects in the PSAI group, whereas compliance reached 100%.
Conclusions:
Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention is a feasible and possibly effective stress management method for AV. Future larger and longer randomized controlled studies are strongly encouraged.
Related Concept Videos
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques II
Type A Personality: Driven and Easily Stressed
Individuals with Type A personalities are often highly competitive and ambitious and operate with a strong sense of urgency. Commonly labeled as...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques I
Conscientiousness
Conscientious individuals tend to be organized, responsible, and disciplined. They prioritize completing tasks and following structured routines,...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques V
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques III
The Role of Exercise in Stress Management
Regular physical activity is essential for reducing stress and promoting cardiovascular health. Exercise strengthens the heart, enhances blood flow, keeps blood vessels flexible, and helps lower blood pressure, all of which reduce the body's stress response. Research shows that adults who exercise regularly have nearly half the...

