Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Adjunctive Group Psychotherapy for Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis: A Pilot Feasibility Study Comparing Two Interventions
Sponsor: Semmelweis University
Summary
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.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 80 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
32
Start Date
2022-09-05
Completion Date
2023-07-10
Last Updated
2026-05-20
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Stress Management and Resilience Group Therapy (SRCST)
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.
Atopic Dermatitis-specific Cognitive Behavioural and Schema Mode Group Therapy (ADCBST)
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.
standard dermatological care
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.
Locations (1)
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University
Budapest, Hungary