Switzerland: Chronic Pruritus and Device-Based Physical Therapies

Chronic pruritus, or persistent itching, is a distressing condition that significantly impacts the quality of life for many individuals. A recent narrative review has shed light on the evolving role of device-based physical therapies in managing this challenging symptom. The review underscores how technological advancements are providing new avenues for effective treatment.

In the review, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Jie Zhu, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland, and colleagues provided an overview of physical modalities and their role in itch management.

Chronic pruritus can be a standalone issue or a symptom of underlying conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or chronic kidney disease. Traditional treatments have often focused on topical agents, antihistamines, and systemic medications. However, these approaches may not always provide sufficient relief or have undesirable side effects. This has led researchers to explore alternative strategies, including device-based physical therapies.

Chronic pruritus is a highly prevalent disease associated with high economic and psychosocial burdens. The researchers note that alongside pharmacological treatments, device-based physical therapies are also emerging as effective antipruritic options. Technologies such as phototherapy, laser treatments, electrical neurostimulation, acupuncture, cryotherapy, and cold atmospheric plasma are being explored as potential treatments. While some of these methods remain experimental, they are expanding the arsenal for managing chronic pruritus.

In the review, the research team discussed data regarding these physical therapy modalities for managing patients with chronic pruritus.

"The promising modalities include pulsed-dye laser, phototherapy, acupuncture, cryotherapy, electrical neurostimulation, cold atmospheric plasma, and counter stimuli treatments," the team wrote.

In patients with difficult-to-treat conditions with chronic pruritus, clinicians should consider the use of physical therapy modalities as a part of a multimodal approach to itch, the review stated.

In conclusion, device-based physical therapies represent an exciting frontier in treating chronic pruritus. As technology continues to advance, these therapies could become integral components of personalized treatment plans, offering new hope for those struggling with persistent itching.

Reference

Zhu J, Zhao X, Navarini AA, Mueller SM. Device-based physical therapies in chronic pruritus: A narrative review. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024 Jun 29:S0190-9622(24)00975-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2024.06.045. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38950710.