Effectiveness of a novel interactive health care education tool on clinical outcomes and quality of life in acne patients: A randomized controlled pilot study

Background: We developed an Internet-based education tool (My Personalized Application for health Care Education, MyPACE) to promote patient comprehension about acne. Objective: To determine if MyPACE improves clinical outcomes and quality of life in acne patients. Methods: Modeling the spaced education approach, 50 participants received weekly multiple-choice questions for 12 weeks. Those randomized to the intervention group received acne-related questions, while those in the control group received non-dermatologic health-related questions. Acne lesion counts and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores were recorded at initial enrollment and at 12 weeks. Results: Within-group analysis for the intervention group showed a significant mean change in inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions per person (-3.2 +/- 1.3, p = 0.0219; -4.4 +/- 1.8, p = 0.0267, respectively). The control group only demonstrated a significant mean change in inflammatory lesions (-2.8 +/- 0.80, p = 0.0040). Both groups had statistically significant improvement in DLQI score. Compared with participants in the control group, those receiving acne-related questions experienced greater improvement in clinical outcomes and quality of life. Limitations: The small sample size limited our ability to detect statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Internet-based, disease-specific, spaced education tools may be more effective than non-targeted tools for improving clinical outcomes and quality of life.