Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Evidencing Vibroacoustic Sensing for Inflammatory Skin Disease Monitoring

Living with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis can be tough, causing ongoing discomfort. Currently, doctors diagnose and check these conditions by looking at your skin, which can lead to long waiting times to see a specialist. This study is testing a new device that uses safe sound waves to measure skin properties like stiffness and moisture. This is different from just looking and could give doctors clearer, data-based insights into your skin health. We hope this will help us measure how severe your condition is and how well treatment is working, speeding up specialist referrals and allowing for more tailored and earlier treatment. We're looking for 20 volunteers, aged 18-75, who have eczema or psoriasis and are about to start a new treatment. You'll have your skin scanned with our device during your regular clinic visits.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

University of Edinburgh

Enrolment target

Start

01 Oct 2026

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2026

Eczema Psoriasis

What is this study about?

Many people in the UK and around the world live with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. These conditions can cause ongoing discomfort, pain, and emotional stress. When you have these conditions, doctors usually decide on the best treatment by carefully examining your skin. This method can sometimes be slow and depends on a doctor's individual experience, and there can be long waiting lists to see a skin specialist (dermatologist).

Our study is trying to find a better way to measure these skin conditions. We've developed a new device that uses safe sound waves, similar to very gentle vibrations, to check your skin's properties. It can measure things like how firm or soft your skin is, and how much moisture it contains. The idea is that this device could give doctors a clearer, more objective picture of your skin's health, rather than just relying on a visual check. This could help us understand how severe your condition is and how well treatments are working.

Ultimately, if this device works well, it could mean faster specialist appointments, a better understanding of how your skin is responding to treatment, and more personalised care plans. This could make a real difference in how skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis are managed, potentially reducing waiting times and improving your treatment journey.

Key takeaways

Tests a new device for eczema and psoriasis.
Uses safe sound waves to measure skin properties.
Aims to improve diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
No new treatments or painful procedures involved.
Requires volunteers with eczema or psoriasis starting phototherapy.
Could lead to faster, more personalised care in the future.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 75 years old. You must have been diagnosed with a moderate or severe skin condition, specifically eczema or psoriasis, and be about to start a new treatment called phototherapy within the next three weeks. It's important that you can attend your weekly clinic appointments for this treatment.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you are under 18 or over 75, or if you have certain health conditions that could affect the study's results, like diabetes, or if you are pregnant. Also, if you have already started your phototherapy treatment, you won't be able to join this particular study. If you could become pregnant, you would also need to agree to use effective contraception throughout the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 75 years old?
Do you have moderate or severe eczema or psoriasis?
Are you about to start phototherapy treatment in the next three weeks?
Can you attend weekly clinic appointments for your treatment?
Are you able to agree to take part in the study?
If you could become pregnant, are you willing to use contraception during the study?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you will have your skin scanned with our new device at the same time as your regular clinic visits for your phototherapy treatment. These scans use harmless sound waves and are not painful. We will also ask you some questions about your skin and take some optional photos. This study does not involve any extra treatments, medication, or painful procedures. The total time you'll be involved in the study will depend on the length of your phototherapy treatment course. Your regular doctor will continue to manage your skin condition as usual.

Potential risks and benefits

The main benefit of taking part is contributing to research that could improve how skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis are managed in the future, potentially helping many people. You will receive close monitoring during your regular treatment, which is a standard part of your care. The device used for scans is safe and does not involve any known risks beyond slight skin contact with a common material called Parylene-C. There are no additional treatments or painful procedures. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Lauriston Building
Verified postcode
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is phototherapy?

Phototherapy is a treatment for some skin conditions that uses special types of light to help improve your skin.

Will this device change my treatment?

No, this study is about testing the device. Your doctors will continue to manage your treatment as they normally would.

Do I have to take part?

No, taking part in a study is always your choice. You can decide not to join, or leave at any time, without it affecting your medical care.

Will the scans hurt?

No, the device uses gentle sound waves and is not expected to cause any pain or discomfort.

How long will I be in the study?

You will be involved for the duration of your phototherapy treatment course, attending scans during your regular weekly appointments.

How to find out more

Richard B Weller, MB BS MD

richard.weller@ed.ac.uk +441315362041 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.