Positive changes in self-management and disease severity following climate therapy in people with psoriasis

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of climate therapy on self-management in people with psoriasis. This was a prospective study of 254 adults with chronic psoriasis who participated in a 3-week climate therapy (CT) programme. The 8-scale Health Education Impact Questionnaire (heiQ) was completed at baseline, after 3 weeks of CT, and 3 months later. Change was assessed using paired sample t-tests mean (95% confidence interval) change scores (range 1–4). All heiQ scales showed statistically significant improvement after 3 weeks of CT. The greatest improvement was in Health-directed activity, followed by Emotional distress, and Skill and technique acquisition. At the 3-month follow-up, only the Emotional distress scale remained improved. In addition, disease severity (self-administered PASI; SAPASI) improved significantly from before CT to 3 weeks and 3 months after CT. This study suggests that CT provides a range of benefits that are important to people with psoriasis, particularly in the short term. A challenge is how to achieve long-term benefits.

Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Dermato-Venereologica
Volume95
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)317-321
Number of pages5
ISSN0001-5555
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Climate therapy, Disease severity, Psoriasis, Self-management

ID: 174896483