Pilot study: Decreasing parental anxiety during peanut oral immunotherapy

Abstract

Objective: Peanut allergies are common in the pediatric population. Peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT) can cause anxiety for children and families. A pilot study was conducted to determine what elements parents consider most useful in reducing anxiety within a newly implemented OIT program.

Methods: A convenience sample of parents (n = 15) was surveyed to measure perceptions of specific anxiety-reducing elements at a private allergy practice.

Results: The 10-question parent survey utilized a Likert Scale measuring how various elements of the OIT program reduced their anxiety. All elements that were provided directly by the clinic received favorable ratings.

Discussion and conclusions: Commercially prepared peanut OIT will soon receive FDA approval, and allergy clinics will consider implementing this new therapy for peanut allergic patients. Food allergies invariably cause anxiety for parents and children, therefore careful consideration of how to decrease anxiety during OIT therapy was examined in this pilot study.