Camp Wonder Provides Short-Term Health-Related Quality of Life Benefits for Participants With Chronic Skin Disease.

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic skin diseases in children can significantly impair their quality of life (QOL) due to physical discomfort and psychosocial challenges. Disease-focused summer camps, like Camp Wonder (CW), offer a supportive environment for children to engage in activities and build friendships, potentially improving their QOL.

Methods: This prospective cohort study evaluated the short-term QOL benefits of CW as measured by the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). Data were collected from 58 camp participants aged 8-17 years. The CDLQI was administered on the first and last days of CW. The paired sample t-test was used to compare pre-camp and post-camp CDLQI scores. A multiple linear regression analysis examined predictors of QOL improvement, including age, diagnosis category, sex, and initial CDLQI severity.

Results: CW participants showed significant improvements in total CDLQI scores (mean change = -3.8 points, p < 0.0001) and in all constituent domains. Participants with "very large" initial QOL impacts experienced an average reduction of 8.4 points, while those with "extremely large" impacts had a reduction of 15.3 points relative to the reference group. Age, sex, and diagnosis were not significant predictors of QOL changes.

Conclusion: CW provides significant short-term QOL benefits, particularly for children with severe impairments due to chronic skin disease. These findings suggest that summer camp experiences may be useful as part of a comprehensive care strategy, especially for pediatric patients with severe QOL impacts.