Atopic Dermatitis (AD), otherwise known as (atopic) eczema, is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease. For difficult-to-treat AD, treatment options are limited. A better understanding of the underlying immunological cause, led to development of new, targeted therapies. For evaluating effectiveness and making treatment decisions for these new therapies, only 2 subjective methods exist: 1. clinical scores (AD-severity scored by a physician using structured scoring system), 2. questionnaires (completed by AD-patients). Therefore, an objective AD-severity assessment method might provide benefits for clinical practice. In this study, it is evaluated whether scratching and sleep parameters, obtained with a smartwatch worn by AD-patients, provide added value for clinical practice in dermatology. The usability of this smartwatch system is evaluated by AD-patients.
The study consists of two consecutive parts. In part 1, 30 AD-patient will be asked to wear a smartwatch during nighttime and to complete questionnaires regarding the usability of the smartwatch system. In part 2, a focus group with dermatology Health Care Practitioners (HCPs) will take place. In this focus group, the HCPs will evaluate whether the scratching and sleep parameters obtained from the smartwatches worn by the AD-patients in part 1, provide added value for clinical practice in dermatology. The primary objective is to collect insights in whether objectification of scratching and sleep in AD-patients during the night provides added value for clinical practice in dermatology. The secondary objective is to collect insights into the requirements of AD-patients and dermatology HCPs for a smartwatch system to be acceptable for use in the dermatology clinical practice.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
16
The Atopic Dermatitis patient cohort is exposed to using a smartwatch system for 5 weeks.
University of Utrecht
Utrecht, Netherlands
Feedback from dermatology HCPs on whether objectification of nighttime scratching and sleep in AD-patients provides added value for clinical practice in dermatology.
Time frame: 1 hour, after completion of study part 1
AD-Patient participant feedback via a questionnaire (usability schale) on the acceptability and usability of a wearable-solution for AD-patients.
Time frame: baseline, and after 5 weeks of participation
Nighttime sleep quality measured with a smartwatch.
The following specific sleep quality parameters will be collected, amongst others, Total Sleep Time, Wake After Sleep Onset, Number of Awakenings
Time frame: baseline, and after 5 weeks of participation
Nighttime scratching parameters (e.g., number and duration of scratching periods) determined with a smartwatch.
Time frame: baseline, and after 5 weeks of participation
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.