A telephone-based motivational interviewing intervention has positive effects on psoriasis severity and self-management: a randomized controlled trial

Background Psoriasis is a common skin disease with extensive comorbidity risks, which may affect multiple aspects of life. Self-management is essential for skin treatment and lifestyle choices, but few disease-specific tailored self-management and educational programmes appear to be available. Objectives To evaluate the effects of a 3-month individual motivational interviewing intervention in patients with psoriasis (with a total follow-up of 6 months) after climate therapy/heliotherapy (CHT). Methods A randomized controlled trial with 169 patients with psoriasis was conducted in the context of CHT at Gran Canaria, Spain. The main outcome measures were Self-Administered Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (SAPASI) and Health Education Impact Questionnaire (heiQ), and the secondary outcomes were illness perception, psoriasis knowledge and lifestyle change assessments. Outcomes were measured at baseline, after 3 weeks of CHT, and 3 months and 6 months later. Results There were significant overall treatment effects in the study group in terms of the SAPASI score, three self-management domains of heiQ and the self-efficacy scores (P < 0.05). The lifestyle change parameters were significantly better in the study group. Illness perception differed between the groups at 3 months (P = 0.014), and psoriasis knowledge was significantly better in the study group at 6 months (P = 0.017). Conclusions A 3-month motivational interviewing intervention following CHT had positive overall effects on disease severity, self-efficacy, psoriasis knowledge and health behaviour change. This approach has the potential to be an important complement to medical management, self-management and education in patients with psoriasis.