Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Treat Itch Rumination "Itch CBT" in Eczema

Northwestern University20 enrolled

Overview

The main purpose of this study is to adapt cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to improve itch in children with eczema.

Eczema is characterized by chronic itch. Many children develop a chronic focus (rumination) on their itch. Rumination is a maladaptive method of responding to distress, in which the individual thinks obsessively about the source of distress. The rumination on chronic itch in eczema can have detrimental effects on one's quality of life, as well as induce significant anxiety about when itch will return, how long it will last, and how it will affect physical and social functioning. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a frontline treatment for rumination, as it focuses on teaching strategies so that the individual can examine distressing thoughts objectively and determine their validity, replace negative thinking patterns with more adaptive thought patterns, and increase the individual's awareness to their problematic thought patterns. Additionally, CBT helps the individual to implement behavioral strategies to cope with possibly anxiety-inducing situations, such as scratching while trying to go to sleep. The investigators hypothesize that an Itch CBT intervention is an effective, non-medication-based, easy to implement strategy to improve itch in children with eczema.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Atopic Dermatitis

Interventions

Itch CBTBEHAVIORAL

Telemedicine CBT sessions with a therapist to address atopic dermatitis related concerns.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 8 YearsMax age: 17 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Moderate to severe atopic dermatitis \[assessed by Patient Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM)score of \>-8 OR NRS itch score of \>= 4\]. * English speaking. * Currently receiving treatment at Lurie Children's Hospital for atopic dermatitis. * Parent or guardian available to participate in protocol. * Have sufficient technology (e.g., cell phone, computer, tablet, etc.) that can be used to access Zoom conference technology for telemedicine visits. Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to comprehend and complete questionnaires. * History of intellectual disability or psychosis.

Locations (1)

Lurie Children's Hospital

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Itch Severity Numerical Rating Scale

Numerical rating scale to assess itch severity, scale of 0-10, higher score means higher itch severity and worse outcome.

Time frame: Baseline to Week 4

Secondary Outcomes

Itch Rumination Questionnaire

Questionnaire to assess common fear and anxiety around itch

Time frame: Baseline to Week 4

PROMIS Anxiety and Depression

Questionnaire to assess anxiety and depression symptoms in pediatric populations

Time frame: Baseline to Week 4

PROMIS Pediatric Itch - Short Form 1 (2+6)

Questionnaire to assess level and severity of itch and common disturbances due to itch (social, emotional, physical)

Time frame: Baseline to Week 4

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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