Research project
Title: Feasibility study for an RCT of water softeners in the treatment of atopic eczema
Project timescale: From 01 March, 2002 to 30 September, 2002
(Added to website on: 12 September, 2002 - Date last updated: 20 April, 2007)
Source of funding:
Kinetico UK Ltd
Aims: 1. To pilot the feasibility of running a full-scale clinical trial. 2. To assess how easy it would be to blind participants to their treatment allocation in such a trial.
Research designs used:
Randomised controlled trial
Methods used to collect data:
Validated instruments eg Outcome measures
Research project description: This is a small pilot study involving 17 children with atopic eczema. They have been randomised to receive either an ion-exchange water softener or a dummy unit. All children have been enrolled for a period of 12 weeks. The main outcome measure is disease severity as assessed using the Six Area, Six Signs Atopic Dermatitis Scale.
Stages at which the public were involved:
Planning the research
Description of public involvement in research stages: Consumers were asked to advise on the study design prior to commencement of the trial. A representative from British Water was also on the steering committee throughout.
Training and support provided for either members of the public or researchers involved in the project:
Examples of ways the public have made a difference to the research project: Many useful and constructive ideas were made at the design stage e.g. a question was added to the questionnaire about usual bathing habits, the sampling frame was reassessed and consideration was taken of variables that we may wish to control for.
Evaluating the impact of public involvement in the research:
Details of publications or reports resulting from the research: No Articles currently available Hope to publish results in the British Journal of Dermatology
Was/is your project user controlled: Not Known
For further information on the project, please contact:
Dr Kim Thomas
Clinical Trials Manager
Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology
Ward C51
South Block
Queen's Medical Centre
Nottingham
NG7 2UH
kim.thomas@nottingham.ac.uk
Website: www.nottingham.ac.uk/dermatology
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