The experiences of children and young people of using silk garments for the treatment of eczema: a nested qualitative study within the CLOTHES randomised controlled trial.

Wake, E. V. and Batchelor, J and Lawton, S and Thomas, Kim. S and Harrison, E and Cowdell, Fiona (2017) The experiences of children and young people of using silk garments for the treatment of eczema: a nested qualitative study within the CLOTHES randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Dermatology. ISSN 0007-0963

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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.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1111/bjd.15909
Dates:	Date Event 28 August 2017 Accepted 30 August 2017 Published Online
Subjects:	CAH02 - subjects allied to medicine > CAH02-04 - nursing and midwifery > CAH02-04-01 - nursing (non-specific)
Divisions:	Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences > Centre for Social Care, Health and Related Research (C-SHARR)
Depositing User:	Fiona Cowdell
Date Deposited:	16 Nov 2017 08:33
Last Modified:	03 Mar 2022 17:15
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/5314

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