Effects of Psychological Interventions on Itch, Scratching, and Excoriations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Authors

  • Christina Schut Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Psychology, Germany; University of Applied Sciences for Public Management and Security, Faculty of Police, Wiesbaden, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5366-6285
  • Johanna Munz Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Psychology, Germany https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9892-4366
  • Frederic Maas genannt Bermpohl University of Wuppertal, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, School of Human and Social Sciences, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2370-4946
  • Antoinette I.M. van Laarhoven Leiden University, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, The Netherlands https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6932-9283
  • Jennifer Schmidt FH Muenster University of Applied Sciences, Muenster Department of Health, Germany
  • Andrea W.M. Evers Leiden University, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, The Netherlands https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0090-5091
  • Jörg Kupfer Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Psychology, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9905-8485

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v106.44450

Keywords:

chronic pruritus, itch, psychological treatment, Psychotherapy, meta-analysis., systematic review

Abstract

Psychological interventions reduce itch in patients with skin diseases. However, previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses did not include patients with non-skin-related chronic itch and did not consider excoriations as outcome. This study therefore summarized randomized controlled trials investigating effects of psychological interventions on itch, scratching, and excoriations in patients with chronic itch due to all causes. A systematic literature search was conducted. A random effects model was used to aggregate between-group effect sizes. It was found that 17 of the 20 trials included patients with atopic dermatitis. Small to large post-treatment and follow-up effects were observed on self-rated itch intensity (post-treatment: k = 12, g = –0.37 [–0.60; –0.15]; follow-up: k = 6; g = –0.59 [–0.97; –0.21]), externally rated excoriations (post-treatment: k = 6, g = –0.29 [–0.49; –0.09]; follow-up: k = 6; g = –0.34 [–0.53; –0.15]), and self-rated scratching intensity (post-treatment: k = 2, g = –0.99 [–1.35; –0.63]; follow-up: k = 2; g = –0.85 [–1.22; –0.48]). Small post-treatment effects were observed on self-rated itch frequency (k = 3, g = –0.22 [–0.40; –0.04]). Thus, psychological interventions show promise in reducing not only itch and scratching, but also excoriations, with effects lasting up to 1 year.

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2026-02-04

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Schut, C., Munz, J., Maas genannt Bermpohl, F., van Laarhoven, A. I., Schmidt, J., Evers, A. W., & Kupfer, J. (2026). Effects of Psychological Interventions on Itch, Scratching, and Excoriations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 106, adv44450. https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v106.44450

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Vol. 106 (2026)

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Review

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Copyright (c) 2026 Christina Schut, Johanna Munz, Frederic Maas genannt Bermpohl, Antoinette I.M. van Laarhoven, Jennifer Schmidt, Andrea W.M. Evers, Jörg Kupfer

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