Smartphone-Based Digital Eczema Education Program for Atopic Dermatitis in Children Aged 0 to 6 Years - Original Paper - Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel Controlled Clinical Study

Sep 30, 2026

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Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition affecting roughly 10% to 20% of children and creating substantial health and economic burdens. This study tests whether a smartphone-based patient-caregiver education program lowers 12-week relapse rates in children aged 0–6 with moderate-to-severe AD versus conventional outpatient consultation alone. In 615 children enrolled across 12 centers, the digital education group showed significantly fewer relapses, with better early relapse-free survival. Benefits diminished after 12 weeks while engagement remained high.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Pages13

Reading Time33 min

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Abstract

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

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Trial Registration

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH Yang et al Original Paper Smartphone-Based Digital Eczema Education Program for Atopic Dermatitis in Children Aged 0 to 6 Years: Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel Controlled Clinical Study | Huan Yang 1* , MD, PhD; Hong Shu2* , MD; Liu-hui Wang3* , MD; Ping Li4* , MD, PhD; Yun-ling Li5 , MD; Qin-feng Li6 , MD; Xiu-ping Han7 , MD; Jing Tian8 , MD; Jing Chang9 , MD; Hua Qian10 , MD, PhD; Jing-ping Chen 11 , MM; Xin-qiang Ding 12 , MD; Pan-qian Wu2 , MD; Li-min Dou3 , MD; Zhen Luo4 , MD; Wei Li5 , MM; Yang-yang Lin6 , MD; Lin Li7 , MD; Shu-zhen Yue9 , MD; Yang Gu10 , MM; Li Yang11 , MD; Xiao-hong Sun 12 , MD; Xiao-yan Luo 1* , MD, PhD; Lin Ma8* , MD, PhD; Hua Wang 1* , MD, PhD | | --- | | 1Department of Dermatology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
2Department of Dermatology, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming, China 3Department of Dermatology, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China 4Department of Dermatology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
5Department of Dermatology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center of Child Health, Hangzhou, China
6Department of Dermatology, Tianjin Children’s Hospital, Tianjin, China
7Department of Dermatology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
8Department of Dermatology, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing, China 9Department of Dermatology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, China
10Department of Dermatology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China 11Department of Dermatology, Guangzhou Woman and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou, China 12Department of Dermatology, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
*these authors contributed equally
Corresponding Author:
Hua Wang, MD, PhD
Department of Dermatology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders NO.136 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Yuzhong District
Chongqing 400014 China
Phone: +86-23-63638830
[Email:](Email: huawang@hospital.cqmu.edu.cn)[ ](Email: huawang@hospital.cqmu.edu.cn)[huawang@hospital.cqmu.edu.cn](Email: huawang@hospital.cqmu.edu.cn)
Abstract | Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition that affects approximately 10% to 20% of children, imposing substantial health and economic burdens. Although education for patients and caregivers is acknowledged as a crucial element in the management of AD, conventional approaches, such as workshops or in-person consultations, are often resource intensive and face challenges related to scalability, personalization, and relapse prevention. Digital tools present promising alternatives; however, empirical evidence supporting their effectiveness in young children is currently limited. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether a smartphone-based patient-caregiver educational program could reduce relapse rates in children aged 0 to 6 years with moderate-to-severe AD, compared with conventional outpatient consultation alone. Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, parallel-controlled trial, 615 children were enrolled across 12 tertiary pediatric dermatology centers in China and randomized (1:1) to receive either a smartphone-based digital education program with standard care (intervention group) or conventional face-to-face consultation only (control group) . The 12-week digital [https://www.jmir.org/2026/1/e79559](https://www.jmir.org/2026/1/e79559) J Med Internet Res 2026 | vol. 28 | e79559 | p. 1 (page number not for citation purposes) JOURNAL

FAQs

What is the main goal of this study?

To evaluate whether a smartphone-based patient-caregiver educational program can reduce relapse rates in children aged 0 to 6 years with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis compared with conventional outpatient consultation alone.

How was the trial designed and who participated?

This multicenter, randomized, parallel-controlled trial enrolled 615 children across 12 tertiary pediatric dermatology centers in China and assigned participants 1:1 to either a smartphone-based digital education program plus standard care or conventional face-to-face consultation only.

Did the digital education program reduce relapses, and for how long?

Yes. Relapse at 12 weeks occurred less frequently in the digital education group than in the control group (16.6% vs 24.0%). Kaplan-Meier analysis also showed better relapse-free survival during the first 100 days, while differences beyond 12 weeks were not statistically significant.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by hdkawk