An Open Trial on the Feasibility and Efficacy of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention with Psychoeducational Elements on Atopic Eczema and Chronic Itch

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Background: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) are psychological group interventions conducted over several weeks. Their effects on reducing stress and improving physical and psychological health have been proven in various clinical populations. Growing evidence suggests that MBIs might be beneficial for dermatology patients. This article reports on a novel Mindfulness-based Training for chronic Skin Conditions (MBTSC) with psychoeducational elements that was developed with the goal of improving self-regulation including stress management and emotion regulation in patients and to help in coping with disease symptoms such as itch and scratching. The intervention was tested in a pilot efficacy trial in order to examine feasibility and to collect preliminary data on the effectiveness of the intervention on disease severity including itch perception and on psychological distress in an atopic dermatitis (AD) sample. (2)

Methods: Following an uncontrolled pre-test-post-test design based on standardized self-report measures, nine adult AD patients were recruited from a dermatology clinic. Data were collected at baseline, post-treatment and 3 month follow-up. Patients completed questionnaires assessing disease severity, itch perception, stress, anxiety and depression, mindfulness and intervention acceptability. The 7 week intervention included seven weekly sessions and a daily home-practice requirement, supported by guided audio-meditations and reading material. (3)

Results: Quantitative data showed improvements in disease severity, itch perception and stress levels with small to medium effect sizes. Psychological distress increased at post-treatment—significantly in the case of depression. Qualitative data highlighted the mixed effects of MBTSC on symptoms. Treatment acceptability was high and 100% of the participants completed the intervention; (4)

Conclusions: These data indicate that MBTSC is feasible and that it might be a useful tool as adjunct therapy for AD. Further studies with larger samples and control groups are needed.