Good vibrations: Itch induction by whole body vibration exercise without the need of a pruritogen

Abstract

Mechanically induced itch is an important cofactor in many patients with chronic itch. However, studying mechanical itch in a controlled environment is challenging because it is difficult to evoke. We investigated the use of whole body vibration (WBV) exercise, a training method used for musculoskeletal rehabilitation, to experimentally evoke mechanical itch. Mild to severe itch ascending from the soles to the groins was evoked in 16 of 20 healthy participants. We observed a characteristic on/off itch crescendo pattern reflecting the alternating intervals of vibration and no vibration. Wheals or an angioedema was absent, and serum mast cell tryptase was not increased by the exercise. Participants described the evoked sensation primarily as "itching" with some nociceptive components. Itch intensity correlated with the intensity of a concomitant erythema (R = 0.45, P = 0.043) and with the rise in skin temperature (R = 0.54, P = 0.017). Hence, WBV can be used as an easily applicable, noninvasive, investigator- and user-friendly framework for studying mechanical itch. Moreover, WBV allows to "switch itch on and off" rapidly and to simultaneously study interactions between itch, skin blood flow and skin temperature.

Spinal Inhibitory Ptf1a-Derived Neurons Prevent Self-Generated Itch

“…Mechanical itch is also a widespread phenomenon associated with many skin, systemic, neurological, and psychiatric diseases (Misery et al, 2018;Mollanazar et al, 2016;Wahlgren et al, 1991;Yosipovitch and Bernhard, 2013). However, in healthy humans, it has only been unequivocally induced under laboratory experimental conditions (Fukuoka et al, 2013;Ikoma et al, 2005) or under high-intensity vibration (Mueller et al, 2019). Thus, identifying and understanding the neural circuits mediating itch responses to mechanical stimuli remain challenges.…”

In search of the needle in a haystack: Finding a suitable serum biomarker for monitoring disease activity of systemic sclerosis

“…In contrast to psoriasis, 1‐25 atopic dermatitis 26‐47 and pruritus 21,35,48‐70 whose therapeutic landscapes have dramatically changed over the last few years due to many advances in skin research, scleroderma remains a challenge in many aspects.…”

Switch to Itch—The many novel facets of pruritus research

“…Feng and Hu (St. Louis, USA) highlighted another type of cutaneous nerves: the mechanosensitive Merkel cell‐neurite complex is involved in mechanisms underlying mechanical itch. Interestingly, Müller et al (Basel, Switzerland) examined “good vibrations” and itch induction via this mechanical stimulus. They describe in detail how this framework can be used for studying mechanical itch.…”