Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by eczematous skin lesions and pruritus. This partially randomized, three-arm pilot feasibility study was designed to evaluate two adjunctive group psychotherapy interventions in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis receiving standard dermatological care. Participants were assigned to one of three study arms: treatment as usual alone, treatment as usual plus atopic dermatitis-specific cognitive behavioural and schema mode group therapy, or treatment as usual plus stress management and resilience group therapy. The psychotherapy interventions consisted of weekly group sessions during a 14-week intervention period. Assessments were scheduled at baseline, post-intervention at week 14, and six-month follow-up. Disease severity was assessed using the Eczema Area and Severity Index and SCORing Atopic Dermatitis.
This was a partially randomized, three-arm pilot feasibility study conducted in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. The study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of delivering two adjunctive group psychotherapy interventions in addition to standard dermatological care and to collect prespecified clinical, psychological, and feasibility-related outcomes. Participants were recruited from an outpatient dermatology service. Eligible participants were adults with atopic dermatitis and baseline disease severity consistent with moderate-to-severe disease. All participants received treatment as usual, consisting of standard dermatological care according to clinical indication. Participants were assigned to one of three study arms: treatment as usual alone; treatment as usual plus atopic dermatitis-specific cognitive behavioural and schema mode group therapy; or treatment as usual plus stress management and resilience group therapy. Participants allocated to the two psychotherapy arms were randomized between the two active group interventions. Assignment to the treatment-as-usual-only arm was non-randomized. The study was not blinded. Both psychotherapy interventions consisted of 14 weekly group sessions. The atopic dermatitis-specific cognitive behavioural and schema mode group therapy intervention addressed disease-related psychological and behavioural processes, including itch-related coping, scratching behaviour, emotion regulation, stigma-related experiences, and schema mode work relevant to chronic skin disease. The stress management and resilience group therapy intervention addressed stress management, emotion regulation, interpersonal functioning, coping skills, and resilience. Assessments were scheduled at baseline, post-intervention at week 14, and six-month follow-up. Disease severity was assessed using the Eczema Area and Severity Index and SCORing Atopic Dermatitis. Additional psychological and feasibility-related measures were collected as specified in the outcome measure section of the record. The study was conducted with written informed consent from participants and approval from the relevant ethics committee.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
32
The SRCST consisted of 14 weekly, 2.5-hour group sessions. The SRCST intervention followed the Hungarian-adapted Williams LifeSkills protocol. Sessions addressed emotion-focused and problem-focused coping, communication, empathy, and resilience. Delivery was based on Carl Rogers' unconditional acceptance framework and Lewin's T-group method. The 14 weekly sessions were led by a consultant psychologist and a psychology assistant.
The ADCBST consisted of 14 weekly, 2.5-hour group sessions. Therapy content was based on a structured manual combining schema mode therapy with atopic dermatitis-specific cognitive-behavioural strategies. Sessions included psychoeducation, imagery rescripting, cognitive restructuring, behavioural experiments, and role-play exercises. Therapy was delivered by two trained psychotherapists.
All groups received TAU as prescribed by a consultant dermatologist. This included emollients, topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors, and antihistamines in line with European AD treatment guidelines.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University
Budapest, Hungary
Change From Baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) Score at Week 14
The Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) is a clinician-rated measure of objective atopic dermatitis severity. It evaluates erythema, excoriation, edema/papulation, and lichenification across four anatomical regions: head and neck, trunk, upper extremities, and lower extremities. Total EASI scores range from 0 to 72, with higher scores indicating greater disease severity. The outcome measure is the change in total EASI score from baseline to post-intervention assessment at week 14. A negative change indicates improvement.
Time frame: Baseline and week 14
Change From Baseline in SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) Score at Week 14
The SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index is a clinician-rated and patient-informed measure of atopic dermatitis severity. It includes assessment of disease extent, intensity of skin signs, and subjective symptoms including itching and sleep disturbance. Total SCORAD scores range from 0 to 103, with higher scores indicating greater disease severity. The outcome measure is the change in total SCORAD score from baseline to post-intervention assessment at week 14. A negative change indicates improvement.
Time frame: Baseline and week 14
Change From Baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) Score at Six-Month Follow-Up
The Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) is a clinician-rated measure of objective atopic dermatitis severity. Total EASI scores range from 0 to 72, with higher scores indicating greater disease severity. The outcome measure is the change in total EASI score from baseline to six-month follow-up. A negative change indicates improvement.
Time frame: Baseline and six-month follow-up
Change From Baseline in SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) Score at Six-Month Follow-Up
The SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index includes assessment of disease extent, intensity of skin signs, and subjective symptoms including itching and sleep disturbance. Total SCORAD scores range from 0 to 103, with higher scores indicating greater disease severity. The outcome measure is the change in total SCORAD score from baseline to six-month follow-up. A negative change indicates improvement.
Time frame: Baseline and six-month follow-up
Number of Participants With Clinically Meaningful Improvement in EASI Score at Week 14
Clinically meaningful improvement was defined as a reduction of at least 6.6 points in total EASI score from baseline to week 14. The outcome measure is the number of participants meeting this responder criterion.
Time frame: Baseline and week 14
Number of Participants With Clinically Meaningful Improvement in SCORAD Score at Week 14
Clinically meaningful improvement was defined as a reduction of at least 8.7 points in total SCORAD score from baseline to week 14. The outcome measure is the number of participants meeting this responder criterion.
Time frame: Baseline and week 14
Number of Participants With Clinically Meaningful Improvement in EASI Score at Six-Month Follow-Up
Clinically meaningful improvement was defined as a reduction of at least 6.6 points in total EASI score from baseline to six-month follow-up. The outcome measure is the number of participants meeting this responder criterion.
Time frame: Baseline and six-month follow-up
Number of Participants With Clinically Meaningful Improvement in SCORAD Score at Six-Month Follow-Up
Clinically meaningful improvement was defined as a reduction of at least 8.7 points in total SCORAD score from baseline to six-month follow-up. The outcome measure is the number of participants meeting this responder criterion.
Time frame: Baseline and six-month follow-up
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