This is a randomized controlled study to evaluate the effectiveness of a social media-based (WeChat) networked nursing follow-up intervention compared to conventional nursing care for patients with atopic dermatitis. The study aims to determine the impact of the intervention on itch severity, skin condition, and self-care ability over a 6-month period.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease that requires long-term management. Traditional outpatient care is often insufficient for managing the chronic nature of the disease. This study explores the effects of social media-based networked follow-up nursing interventions, leveraging popular platforms like WeChat to provide continuous support, personalized care plans, remote monitoring, and health education. This study prospectively enrolled and randomized 100 patients with AD into two groups: a research group receiving the social media-based intervention and a control group receiving conventional nursing care. The primary objective is to compare the differences in itch severity, eczema area and severity index (EASI), overall disease assessment (IGA), and self-care ability between the two groups from baseline to 6 months post-intervention. The study aims to provide evidence for social media-based nursing as an effective adjunctive management strategy for improving outcomes in patients with atopic dermatitis.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
100
A structured nursing follow-up program delivered through a WeChat group. The program included regular sharing of educational content (articles, videos), personalized care advice, remote photo-based monitoring by medical staff, and peer support within the group. The intervention was managed by a dedicated team of dermatologists and nurses.
A standard care follow-up protocol involving verbal education at discharge, provision of printed health materials, and proactive weekly telephone calls to monitor the patient's condition, correct improper self-care actions, and encourage clinic visits if necessary.
the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University
Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
Change in Itch Severity
Measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for itching. The scale ranges from 0 (no itching) to 10 (very severe itching), where patients rate the most severe itching experienced in the past 24 hours. A higher score indicates more severe itching.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 Months
Change in Self-care Ability
Measured by the Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale (ESCA). The scale includes 43 items across four dimensions (self-care skills, self-responsibility, self-concept, and health knowledge). It uses a Likert 5-point scoring system (0 to 4 points). A higher total score indicates stronger self-care ability.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 Months
Change in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI)
EASI is used to evaluate the eczema area and severity. It assesses four clinical signs (erythema, papules/edema, lichenification, epidermal peeling) on a scale of 0 to 3 based on severity. A higher score indicates greater disease severity.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 Months
Change in Overall Evaluation Score
Measured by the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA). A six-level scoring system (0 to 5) is used, where 0 indicates no lesions and 5 indicates very severe disease. A higher score indicates greater overall disease severity.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 Months
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