Spray on skin improves psychosocial functioning in pediatric burns patients: A randomized controlled trial

Purpose Microskin™ is a sprayed on, computer color-matched, skin camouflage which can last for up to 5 days after application. It binds to the epidermis and the patient can sweat and swim with it on. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether Microskin™ produces psychosocial benefit in pediatric burns patients. Procedure Twenty children with mature burn scars took part in the study and used Microskin™ for 5 weeks. Initially, 10 children were randomized to a treatment group while the remaining 10 became a wait-list group for 7 weeks. The wait-list group subsequently received Microskin™ for 5 weeks. Before and after using Microskin™, children completed three psychosocial measures; the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the Family Assessment Device—General Functioning scale (FAD-GF), and the Microskin™ Questionnaire (MQ—a questionnaire about their experience using Microskin™ developed specifically for this study). All children were followed up with the same measures 6 months after their completed use of Microskin™. Results After the 5-week Microskin™ trial there was improvement on all scales of the SDQ for the 10 children in the first treatment group but not for the wait-list group. After the wait-list group used Microskin™ for 5 weeks they too improved on all scales. Combining the results for all 20 children from before to after using Microskin™ there was a statistically significant improvement in the SDQ Emotional Symptoms and Total Difficulties. There was also improved perception of family functioning after using Microskin™. Six-month follow-up data showed continued psychosocial improvement. Overall, children felt more confident, happier, and enjoyed social outings more when they had Microskin™ on, with 95% intending to continue to use Microskin™. Conclusions Microskin™ improves psychosocial functioning in pediatric burn patients and is well-tolerated and acceptable. The small sample size precludes sophisticated statistical analyses and generalization of results. There is a need for a full scale randomized controlled study of Microskin™ with a larger sample size.