Mindfulness and self-compassion training in addition to usual care led to significantly greater improvements in patient-reported skin disease-specific quality of life in AD patients

Online group mindfulness and self-compassion training improves quality of life in adults with atopic dermatitis (AD).

In this randomized clinical trial of 107 adults with AD, mindfulness and self-compassion training in addition to usual care showed significantly greater improvements in patient-reported skin disease–specific quality of life compared with a waiting list control at 13 weeks.

Participants were randomized 1:1 to take part in eight 90-minute weekly group sessions of online mindfulness and self-compassion training or to a waiting list. Both groups were allowed to receive any AD treatment except dupilumab.

Among participants from the intervention group, 55 attended 6 or more of the 8 sessions, and 105 of all participants completed the assessment at 13 weeks. The intervention group demonstrated greater improvement in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score score at 13 weeks. In addition, all secondary outcomes showed greater improvements in the intervention group than in the waiting list group.

“These findings suggest that mindfulness and self-compassion training is an effective treatment option for adults with AD, the study authors conclude.

The findings are published online in JAMA Dermatology.