Effectiveness of a novel interactive health care education tool on clinical outcomes and quality of life in acne patients: A randomized controlled pilot study.

BACKGROUND

We developed an Internet-based education tool (My Personalized Application for health Care Education, MyPACE) to promote patient comprehension about acne.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if MyPACE improves clinical outcomes and quality of life in acne patients.

METHODS

Modeling the spaced education approach, 50 participants received weekly multiple-choice questions for 12 weeks. Those randomized to the intervention group received acne-related questions, while those in the control group received non-dermatologic health-related questions. Acne lesion counts and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores were recorded at initial enrollment and at 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Within-group analysis for the intervention group showed a significant mean change in inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions per person (-3.2 ± 1.3, p = 0.0219; -4.4 ± 1.8, p = 0.0267, respectively). The control group only demonstrated a significant mean change in inflammatory lesions (-2.8 ± 0.80, p = 0.0040). Both groups had statistically significant improvement in DLQI score. Compared with participants in the control group, those receiving acne-related questions experienced greater improvement in clinical outcomes and quality of life.

LIMITATIONS

The small sample size limited our ability to detect statistically significant differences.

CONCLUSION

Internet-based, disease-specific, spaced education tools may be more effective than non-targeted tools for improving clinical outcomes and quality of life.