Evaluating the effectiveness of psychological and/or educational interventions in psoriasis: A narrative review

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to review the effectiveness of psychological and/or educational interventions for reducing psoriasis severity and improving psychological and quality of life (QOL) outcomes in psoriasis. Sixteen papers met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the effectiveness of the existing interventions from this narrative synthesis is positive, especially in psychological and QOL outcomes. Of the 16 included studies, only five were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The strength of the evidence to support the effectiveness of the existing interventions was limited due to methodological weakness in the included studies. The review concludes that further research is needed to examine the effectiveness of psychological and/or educational interventions for individuals with psoriasis, including a greater number of RCTs in order to increase the methodological validity of intervention studies. Also, future research needs to be conducted to establish which interventions are most effective for specific sub-populations who may best profit from psycho-educational interventions.

Effects of a Nurse-Led Educational Intervention for Chinese Adult Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis: A Case-Control Study

“…By an individual delivery format, this nurse-led education intervention may be able to confirm that the patients are being individualized to each patient's health experience [14]. Findings of this study were consistent with a review of effects of psycho-education interventions for the management of psoriasis [18].…”

“…As PsA is a long-term and impact both cutaneous and joint disease, a multidisciplinary approach to support patients for the management of PsA is needed. Effective patient education as well as regular assessment of the PsA by nurses could have additional benefits to ensure the efficacy of treatments [18].…”

Effects of psychosocial interventions on patient‐reported outcomes in patients with psoriasis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…found that in five of 10 studies there were statistically significant improvements in HRQoL, and there were improvements in disease severity in three studies. Compared with the previously mentioned systematic reviews on patient education, self‐management and stress reduction in patients with psoriasis, our study adds meta‐analytical information about the overall effect sizes in psychosocial outcomes, such as depression and anxiety, as well as HRQoL.…”

Increased expressed emotion in patients with psoriasis

“…Other people may believe that psoriasis is an infectious disease and they may show negative reactions to patients with psoriasis. After this experienced negative reaction, the general condition disorder caused by the disease and the stress developing depending on the disease in patients with psoriasis also increases even more (Chen et al 2014). The relationship between psychological events and psoriasis is bi-directional, and the effect of psychological factors on its onset and exacerbation is a generally accepted characteristic.…”

“…Psychological interventions can be made to the patients with psoriasis with both psychological and educational programs. The necessity for such training programs has recently been stated (Chen et al 2014).…”