Improving quality of life for patients with psoriasis by Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit Intervention

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Applying IBMS to improve QoL of people with psoriasis. METHOD: Thirty-nine adults suffering from psoriasis attended a six-session 3-hour weekly IBMS intervention. Physiological and psychosocial parameters were measured during recruitment (T0) and after intervention (T1). Paired t-tests were conducted to compare the changes between two time points. OUTCOME MEASURES: Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Illness Cognition Questionnaire (ICQ), Holistic Well-Being Scale (HWS). RESULT: There were significant improvements in the scores of ICQ Illness Acceptance [t=4.36, p<.001], ICQ Perceived Benefit [t=4.08, p<.001], HWS Afflictive Emotion [t=-3.37, p=.002], HWS Afflictive Sensation [t=-5.34, p<.001], and HWS Non-Attachment [t=2.23, p=.032]. However, a significant increase in PASI was found [t=-3.26, p=.002], indicating a deterioration of bodily symptom. CONCLUSION: IBMS can enhance the psychosocial well-being of people with psoriasis. Despite the chronicity of psoriatic condition, participants still demonstrate better quality of life, which has recognized the value of psychosocial intervention in patient care.