Effects of SKT Meditation Healing Exercise Combined with Standard Therapy on Skin Outcomes in Patients with Psoriasis: A Case Series at Rattanaburi Hospital Outpatient Department, Surin Province, Thailand

Abstract

     Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting approximately 2.67% of the Thai population. Psychological stress is a key triggering factor, acting through immune mechanisms, particularly the IL-23/IL-17 pathway and increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) production. Somporn Kantharadussadee-Triamchaisri (SKT) meditation has demonstrated benefits in several chronic conditions, including reduced stress and anxiety, improved sleep quality, and enhanced quality of life, however, its effects in psoriasis have not yet been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of SKT meditation combined with standard therapy on disease severity, stress, sleep quality, quality of life, and IL-6 levels. A case series study was conducted in five patients with psoriasis attending the outpatient department at Rattanaburi Hospital, Surin Province, Thailand. All patients received standard treatment along with an SKT meditation program (Techniques 1–3) for 8 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and serum IL-6 levels before and after the intervention.Results showed improvement across all parameters. The mean PASI score decreased by 50.3%, DLQI by 56.9%, and IL-6 levels by at least 32.3%. PSS-10 scores decreased by 27.0%, indicating reduced stress, while PSQI scores remained stable within the good range throughout the study. SKT meditation combined with standard therapy demonstrated potential in reducing disease severity, alleviating inflammation, and improving quality of life without observed adverse effects. Further randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings.