Effectiveness of an empowerment-based intervention for psoriasis among patients attending a medical spa.

Authors: Pagliarello C (1) , Calza A (2) , Armani E (2) , Di Pietro C (1) , Tabolli S (1)
Affiliations:
(1) Health Services Research Unit, Istituto Dermopatico dell’Immacolata–IRCCS, Rome (2) Research Centre, Terme di Comano
Source: Eur J Dermatol. 2011 Jan-Feb;21(1):62-6
DOI: 10.1684/ejd.2010.1197 Publication date: 2011 Jan E-Publication date: Not specified Availability: abstract Copyright: Not specified
Language: English Countries: Italy Location: Comano Spa, Trento-Italy Correspondence address: Pagliarello C. :
Health Services Research Unit, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata-IRCCS, Rome, Italy. calogero.pagliarello@libero.it

Keywords

Article abstract

There is increasing interest in the management of chronic diseases through patient self-efficacy procedures. Very few studies are available assessing the efficacy of empowerment-based educational interventions for psoriasis patients. To evaluate an educational programme for increasing empowerment, in a spa setting (Comano, Italy). An educational intervention with pre-post test for empowerment evaluation was employed with patients assigned either to a control (balneotherapy) or an experimental group (balneotherapy plus empowerment-based educational interventions) (quasi-experimental). The outcome measures were self-reported scores through validated tools for empowerment, severity of disease and quality of life, assessed before and after a single two-hour empowerment-based educational intervention. A total of 136 patients completed the study (control n. 49; experimental n. 87). The experimental group reported higher levels of empowerment with improved knowledge about the disease as compared to the control group. After the balneotherapy, both groups reported a positive effect on quality of life. Patients' characteristics linked to intervention effectiveness were identified. A single empowerment-based educational intervention has the potential to increase psoriasis patients' empowerment by means of increased knowledge. It is advisable to promote it as a standardized, low-cost practice for motivated patients.

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