title: Effectiveness of a novel interactive health care education tool on clinical outcomes and quality of life in acne patients: A randomized controlled pilot study.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The small sample size limited our ability to detect statistically significant differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Internet-based, disease-specific, spaced education tools may be more effective than non-targeted tools for improving clinical outcomes and quality of life.
authors: a Department of Dermatology , University of California, Davis , Sacramento , CA , USA .
authors: Audrey S
authors: AS
authors: Wang
authors: a Department of Dermatology , University of California, Davis , Sacramento , CA , USA .
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Wu
authors: a Department of Dermatology , University of California, Davis , Sacramento , CA , USA .
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Tuong
authors: b Cancer Prevention Institute of California , Fremont , CA , USA , and.
authors: Clayton
authors: C
authors: Schupp
authors: c Department of Dermatology , University of Colorado, Denver , Aurora , CO , USA.
authors: April W
authors: AW
authors: Armstrong
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Acne; Internet-based education; interactive learning; patient education; quality of life; spaced education