Reducing Itch With Hypnosis and Virtual Reality

Phase

N/A

Condition

Rash

Skin Wounds

Hives (Urticaria)

Treatment

Virtual Reality-assisted hypnosis

Clinical Study ID

NCT06787794

NL83542.058.23

Ages 18-80
All Genders

Study Summary

Chronic itch is a disabling condition with currently limited treatment options. Virtual reality (VR) is a relatively new approach that provides immersion in another environment and has been shown to have a temporary itch mitigating potential. Hypnosis, which is a state of relaxation, has been successfully applied with more long-term treatment effects in the specific case of itch as a result of severe atopic dermatitis. However, hypnosis tends to depend on an individual's susceptibility, or ease, to come into a hypnotic state. A combination of VR and hypnosis (VRH) has been put forward since it may combine the longer lasting effects of hypnosis with VR making the hypnosis more accessible by facilitating imagination. Even though VRH is a promising avenue, it has never been investigated in the context of itch. In this randomized controlled trial, comparing a VRH treatment with a waiting list control group after 6 sessions and at follow-up, it is aimed to assess the effectiveness of VRH in reducing itch along with its psychological burden in adult individuals with therapy-resistant disabling itch.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

Participants must be adults (aged 18-80 years)
Participants must have been suffering from chronic pruritus of any origin for atleast 1 year prior to inclusion in this study
Participants must have been seen by a physician for the itch
Participants must experience psychological and/or functional impairment due to theitch despite standard medical treatment.
Participants must speak and understand Dutch and be able to complete questionnaires.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

Severe psychiatric comorbidities irrelated to their itch condition such as psychosisor severe clinical depression or anxiety disorder (anxiety and depressive symptomsin itself are common in individuals with chronic symptoms and therefore no reasonfor exclusion);
History of seizures;
History of severe migraine;
Severe susceptibility to motion sickness;
Balance problems;
Face, head, or neck injury;
Visual or audiological impairment;
Pacemaker, defibrillator and/or other electronic (implantable) device of vitalimportance;
Pregnancy;
Lactation;
Participation in another interventional itch study.

Study Design

Virtual Reality-assisted hypnosis

January 31, 2025

December 31, 2026

Study Description

Rationale: Chronic itch is a disabling condition with currently limited treatment options. Virtual reality (VR) is a relatively new approach that provides immersion in another environment and has been shown to have a temporary itch mitigating potential. Hypnosis, which is a state of relaxation, has been successfully applied with more long-term treatment effects in the specific case of itch as a result of severe atopic dermatitis. However, hypnosis tends to depend on an individual's susceptibility, or ease to come into a hypnotic state. A combination of VR and hypnosis (VRH) has been put forward since it may combine the longer lasting effects of hypnosis with VR making the hypnosis more accessible by facilitating imagination. Even though VRH is a promising avenue, it has never been investigated in the context of itch.

Objective: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of VRH in reducing itch along with its psychological burden in individuals with chronic itch.

Connect with a study center

Leiden University
Leiden, Zuid-Holland 2333 AK
Netherlands
Active - Recruiting

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