Experimental elicitation of itch: Evoking and evaluation techniques

Fostini, Anna Chiara; Girolomoni, Giampiero

doi:10.1016/j.jdermsci.2015.06.004

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 42 publications

(54 reference statements)

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“…I tch is the most common somatosensory symptom in skin conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, and can cause significant impairment in patients (1). For example, itch has previously been associated with impaired quality of life, a reduction in social activities, reduced quality of sleep, concentration problems, and depression (2). Current treatments are often aimed at reducing the severity of the skin condition through pharmacological interventions with, for example, (topical) antihistamines or corticosteroids.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Placebo Effects of Open-label Verbal Suggestions on Itch

Meeuwis¹,

Middendorp²,

Veldhuijzen³

et al. 2018

Acta Derm Venerol

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Placebo effects are positive outcomes that are not due to active treatment components, which may be elicited even when patients are aware of receiving an inert substance (open-label). This proof-of-principle study investigated for the first time whether open-label placebo effects on itch can be induced by verbal suggestions alone. Ninety-two healthy volunteers were randomized to experimental (open-label suggestions) or control (no suggestions) groups. Self-reported itch evoked by histamine iontophoresis was the primary study outcome. In addition, itch expectations, skin condition and affect were assessed. The experimental group expected lower itch than the control group, which was, in turn, related to less experienced itch in this group only, although no significantly different itch levels were reported between groups. The results illustrate a potential role for open-label placebo effects in itch, and suggest that further study of verbal suggestions through an extensive explanation of placebo effects might be promising for clinical practice.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Placebo Effects of Open-label Verbal Suggestions on Itch

Meeuwis¹,

Middendorp²,

Veldhuijzen³

et al. 2018

Acta Derm Venerol

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“…Potentially, this may have elicited smaller conditioned responses, as the pharmacological effects of levocetirizine during acquisition may not have been clearly perceived as much as they would be when allergic symptoms were present. Moreover, itch was induced in the final evocation session, to prevent that histamine iontophoresis—which entails the introduction of a foreign chemical substance to the skin (42)—interfered with measurements of conditioned responses for other study outcomes. Although literature indicates that conditioned immunological responses can persist for multiple—potentially even up to 14—evocation moments (39,43,44), it may be possible that some extinction in the conditioned response was already present in the second and third evocation sessions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antipruritic Placebo Effects by Conditioning H1-antihistamine

et al. 2019

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“…Due to its high prevalence—approximately 8% of the general population and over 50% of dermatological patients—the burden of itch and its impact on society are high (6, 7). Often, patients report significantly lowered quality of life, increased depressive and anxious symptoms, and sleep disturbances due to chronic itch (8). While current treatments aim to suppress itch through pharmacological interventions, oftentimes, limited effects and significant side effects are reported (3, 9).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Open- and Closed-Label Nocebo and Placebo Suggestions on Itch and Itch Expectations

et al. 2019

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Placebo and nocebo effects have been shown to influence subjective symptoms such as itch. These effects can be induced by influencing outcome expectations through, for example, combining the application of an inert substance (e.g., a cream) with verbal suggestions on the anticipated effects of this substance. Interestingly, placebo effects also occur when it is known that a treatment is inert (i.e., open-label placebo). However, no study to date has examined the efficacy of negative and positive verbal suggestions under similar open-label and closed-label (i.e., concealed placebo/nocebo) conditions in itch. A randomized controlled between-subjects study design was applied in which healthy volunteers ( n = 92) were randomized to 1) an open-label positive verbal suggestion group, 2) a closed-label positive verbal suggestion group, 3) an open-label negative verbal suggestion group, or 4) a closed-label negative verbal suggestion group. Verbal suggestions were made regarding the topical application of an inert substance. Itch was evoked experimentally by histamine iontophoresis at baseline and again following suggestions. Itch expectations, self-reported itch during and following iontophoresis, and skin response parameters were measured. Positive suggestions were found to result in significantly lower expected itch than were negative suggestions in both open- and closed-label conditions. No effects of the suggestions on itch during iontophoresis were found, but significantly lower itch was reported in the 4 min following iontophoresis in the (combined open- and closed-label) positive compared with negative verbal suggestion groups. In addition, a smaller increase in skin temperature was found in the positive compared with negative suggestion groups. The findings illustrate a potential role of (open- and closed-label) placebo for optimizing expectations and treatment effects for itch in clinical practice. Clinical Trial Registration: Netherlands Trial Register, trial number: NTR6530.

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Experimental elicitation of itch: Evoking and evaluation techniques

Cited by 7 publications

References 42 publications

Placebo Effects of Open-label Verbal Suggestions on Itch

Placebo Effects of Open-label Verbal Suggestions on Itch

Antipruritic Placebo Effects by Conditioning H1-antihistamine

Effects of Open- and Closed-Label Nocebo and Placebo Suggestions on Itch and Itch Expectations

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