The views of children and young people on the use of silk garments for the treatment of eczema: a nested qualitative study within the CLOTHES randomised controlled trial

Wake, E.V.; Batchelor, Jonathan M.; Lawton, Sandra; Thomas, K.S.; Harrison, Eleanor F.; Cowdell, Fiona

Abstract

Background: Many children suffer with skin diseases, but to date, most dermatological research has been done ‘on’ rather than ‘with’ children; in this study we actively sought the experiences of children and young people. Atopic eczema (AE) is a chronic, itchy, inflammatory skin condition that affects around 20% of children and can impact on health and wellbeing for children and their families. The role of specialist clothing in the management of AE is poorly understood.

Objectives: The aim of this study, which was nested in a randomised controlled trial was to qualitatively examine child participants’ experiences of using silk garments for the treatment of AE.

Methods: Eighteen children aged 5-15, who took part in the CLOTHES trial, participated in age-appropriate individual interviews or focus groups.

Results: Thematic analysis generated 4 themes directly related to the garments: i) expectations of the garments; ii) wearing the silk garments; iii) did they help? and iv) thoughts about the garments. The conclusions from this nested qualitative study are that: there was some limited improvement in eczema for some children but that the hoped for ‘miracle cure’ did not transpire. A mixed picture of knowledge, beliefs and experiences of using the silk garments emerged.

Conclusion: Engaging children in the evaluation of the garments provided first hand nuanced insights that enhanced understanding of the CLOTHES study as a whole. This nested study demonstrates that children can and indeed want to be engaged in dermatological research in meaningful ways that add to our understanding of treatment options.

Citation

Wake, E., Batchelor, J. M., Lawton, S., Thomas, K., Harrison, E. F., & Cowdell, F. (2018). The views of children and young people on the use of silk garments for the treatment of eczema: a nested qualitative study within the CLOTHES randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Dermatology, 178(1), 183-190. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.15909

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 15, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Aug 30, 2017
• Publication Date: Jan 31, 2018
• Deposit Date: Nov 9, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 31, 2018
• Journal: British Journal of Dermatology
• Print ISSN: 0007-0963
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2133
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 178
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 183-190
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.15909
• Keywords: Eczema; Atopic dermatitis; Silk garments; Children; Qualitative
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/908045
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjd.15909/abstract
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Wake, E.V., Batchelor, J., Lawton, S., Thomas, K.S., Harrison, E.F., Cowdell, F.C., the U.K. Dermatology Clinical Trials Network's CLOTHES Trial Team (2018), The views of children and young people on the use of silk garments for the treatment of eczema: a nested qualitative study within the CLOTHing for the relief of Eczema Symptoms (CLOTHES) randomized controlled trial. British Journal of Dermatology. doi: 10.1111/bjd.15909, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bjd.15909. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
• Contract Date: Nov 9, 2017