Abstract
Parental education on how to apply a topical corticosteroid and moisturizer is essential in managing childhood atopic dermatitis (AD). Twenty-one children with AD and their mothers or grandmothers received either video- or pamphlet-based instruction on how to apply a topical corticosteroid and moisturizer. Video-based instruction was performed with an iPad® (at an outpatient clinic) and via YouTube® (at home). We assessed AD disease severity using the AD severity classification of the Japanese Dermatological Association and the patient-oriented eczema measure (POEM) scale at time points before and after the 2-week intervention. User intelligibility of applying ointment was assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS) after instruction. Home care and online video viewing status were checked after the 2-week intervention. At baseline, the videobased instruction group (Group V : n = 11) and the pamphlet-based instruction group (Group P : n = 10) had similar AD severity. After 2 weeks, AD severity significantly improved in both groups. User intelligibility of applying topical corticosteroid was far better in Group V than Group P (VAS score : 96.2±6.9 vs 81.7± 18.6, ρ = 0.046). All participants were able to complete the administration of topical medication at home (VAS score : 90.7±12.1 in Group V, 89.8±9.4 in Group P). No participants in group V watched the YouTube® video. Due to the simplicity of our video (about 60 seconds), the participants completely understood the contents after a single viewing at our outpatient clinic. In conclusion, video instruction using an iPad® on topical therapy for AD in children was an effective tool for improving clinical outcomes. Video instruction might improve intelligibility more than traditional pamphlet-based education.
