RCT of DreamSkin® Garments for Childhood Eczema

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A randomised controlled study to examine the efficacy and acceptability of DreamSkin® garments for children with moderate to severe eczema

• IRAS ID

  66482

• Sponsor organisation

  Bournemouth University

• Eudract number

  2011-001473-12

• ISRCTN Number

  n/a

• Research summary

  Dreamskin © Health have produced a range of silk clothing treated with the Dreamskin © polymer. The garments are designed to relieve itching and improve hydration of dry and damaged skin in people with eczema, dermatitis and dry skin. They are available on National Health Service prescription and commercially.Laboratory investigations indicate that the garments have a positive impact on; protecting the skin from external irritant damage (DreamSkin undated a), increasing moisture recovery in damaged skin (DreamSkin undated b) and enhancing the recovery rate of damaged skin (DreamSkin undated c). Anecdotal evidence from clinical practice suggests that use of the garments may improve skin condition and quality of life for both children and families.There is now a need to formally evaluate DreamSkin garments. Given that the impact of childhood eczema is both physical and psychological a range of quantitative (self-completed questionnaires) and qualitative (focus groups)measures will be used to assess the experiences of both children and parents. A randomised controlled trial design will be used to assess the efficacy of the products ReferencesDreamSkin (undated a) The effectiveness of DreamSkin Health garments at protecting the skin from external irritant damage. DreamSkin (undated b) The ability of Dreamskin © Health garments to increase moisture recovery in damaged skin. DreamSkin (undated c) The effectiveness of Dreamskin © Health garments at enhancing the recovery rate of damaged skin. http://www.dreamskinhealth.co.uk/technology/trials.html

• REC name

  South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  11/SC/0233

• Date of REC Opinion

  5 Aug 2011

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion