Clinical trial NCT01074164: Acupressure in Pruritus for Atopic Dermatitis
Official title: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Acupressure in Relieving Pruritus Related to Atopic Dermatitis
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Atopic Dermatitis
Keywords: eczema
atopic dermatitis
itch
pruritus
acupressure
acupuncture
Lead sponsor: Northwestern University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2010-02-24
Enrollment: 15
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The purpose of this study is to see if acupressure will be effective at reducing itch in people with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Detailed description: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is recognized as a major and common problem worldwide. In the United States, AD and related eczematous symptoms affect 17% of the population; 1 in 10 individuals report having experienced symptoms causing quality of life (QOL) distress, including itching/scratching, red/inflamed rash, excessive dryness/scaling, and/or symptoms lasting ≥ 14 days. Two-thirds of these subjects noted at least moderate to severe symptoms, with itch being the most disturbing. Effective treatment of AD and of pruritus (itching) are interconnected. Treating AD will decrease the stimulus for the itch, whereas treating pruritus will decrease the feedback cycle brought on when a patient scratches the skin continually. Effective medications for AD and related symptoms include topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors. Oftentimes, these remedies are insufficient at treating the itch component of the disease. There is demand for alternative, complementary treatments for AD-related pruritus.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of AD by dermatologist
* Not currently using acupressure or acupuncture for treatment of AD
* Able to read, write, and understand study materials
* Age 18 or older

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unable to physically perform acupressure technique
* Significant comorbidities causing itch such as chronic urticaria, renal failure, notalgia paresthetica, and tinea

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change in Itch Intensity as Measured by a Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Score
timeFrame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Change in Severity of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) as Measured by a Change in Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) Score
timeFrame: Baseline and 4 weeks
measure: Change in Severity of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) as Measured by a Change in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI): Area Subscale Score
timeFrame: Baseline and 4 weeks
measure: Change in Severity of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) as Measured by a Change in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI): Erythema Subscale Score
timeFrame: Baseline and 4 weeks
measure: Change in Severity of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) as Measured by a Change in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI): Infiltration/Papulation Subscale Score
timeFrame: Baseline and 4 weeks
measure: Change in Severity of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) as Measured by a Change in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI): Excoriation Subscale Score
timeFrame: Baseline and 4 weeks
measure: Change in Severity of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) as Measured by a Change in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI): Lichenification Subscale Score
timeFrame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Chicago
country: United States
facility: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology
state: Illinois
Study officials:
affiliation: Northwestern University
name: Dennis West, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: