Effectiveness of a music intervention on pruritus: an open randomized prospective study

• Published in: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2020-06, Vol.34 (6), p.1280-1285
• Main Authors: Demirtas, S., Houssais, C., Tanniou, J., Misery, L., Brenaut, E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anxiety - etiology; Anxiety - therapy; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Music Therapy; Patient Satisfaction; Prospective Studies; Pruritus - complications; Pruritus - psychology; Pruritus - therapy; Quality of Life; Severity of Illness Index; Skin Diseases - complications; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0926-9959; 1468-3083
• DOI: 10.1111/jdv.16149

Background Pruritus is a common symptom in many skin diseases. Music interventions have demonstrated their efficacy in different symptoms or diseases such as pain, depression and anxiety. Objective To evaluate the effects of a music intervention on pruritus. Patients and methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted from November 2018 to April 2019. Fifty inpatients with pruritus intensity ≥3/10 in various chronic skin diseases were randomized in a music group or an emollient group. The primary endpoint was the evolution of pruritus as measured by the Numerical Rating Scale before and one hour after the procedure. The secondary judgement criteria were the effects on patient anxiety, the impact of pruritus on the quality of life and patient satisfaction (NCT 03701971). Results Fifty patients with chronic pruritus were included, 62% were male, and the average age was 60.7 years. The most common diseases were psoriasis (N = 10), atopic dermatitis (N = 8) and contact eczema (N = 6). The average ItchyQol score was 64.8/110, showing a significant impact on quality of life. The intensity of pruritus decreased more significantly in the music intervention group than in the emollient group: 2.3 (SD 2.1) and 1.2 (SD 1.7), respectively (P