Wart Regression in Children: Comparison of Relaxation-Imagery to Topical Treatment and Equal Time Interventions

Abstract

Relaxation mental imagery (RMI), standard topical treatment (TopTx), and equal time-control interventions were compared on measures of wart regression in sixty one, 6–12-year-old children. Subjects chose one common (“index”) wart and attended 4 visits over 8 weeks. At each visit, total and “index” extremity wart number were counted and a photo was taken of the “index wart” for later measurement. On average, total wart number decreased by 10% and “index wart” area decreased by 20% with no significant group differences during the first eight weeks. Phone follow was conducted 6 to 18 months from study entry. At phone follow up, there was a trend for more RMI and TopTx subjects to report complete wart resolution (p = 0.07) with a majority of RMI children reporting use of RMI or no specific treatment pursuit. We conclude there was no significant short-term benefit for RMI in this randomized controlled trial of wart regression in children. However, longer term benefits for RMI and TopTx groups are suggested.