Urge surfing intervention in patient with chronic atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Background Urge surfing is a brief mindfulness-based instruction used in alcoholic to avoid relapse and improve anxiety. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic psychodermatology disease with unsatisfactory pharmacotherapy. Objective The aim was to examine the effectiveness of urge surfing in patients with chronic AD. Patients and methods All patients with chronic AD who were referred to psychiatric clinic from January 1, 2018 to July 30, 2018 were included in the study. The authors used Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) to assess the patients at baseline (T1), then at 12 weeks (T2) and lastly after 24 weeks (T3). Results The mean±SD age of the patients was 33±13.7 years, range 17–70 years, 70% were married, and 40% had completed high education. The mean±SD duration of illness was 23.1±17.8 years. The mean (EASI) score at T1 was 46. This decreased significantly to 32 at T2 (t=7.43, d.f.=0.33, P<0001). The mean DLQI at T1 was 13, decreasing significantly to 6 at T2 (t=7.98, d.f.=0.33, P<0001). A linear regression analysis was performed to assess the association between EASI and DLQI and was statistically significant (b=0.20, P=0.004). Conclusion There was a significant reduction in eczema severity and improvement in quality of life following urge surfing in resistant eczema.

Keywords

• atopic dermatitis
• psychodermatology
• psychotherapy
• urge surfing