Attentional Bias Modification Training for Itch: A Proof-of-Principle Study in Healthy Individuals

Frontiers in Medicine

article

Antoinette I. M. van Laarhoven¹  Jennifer M. Becker¹  Dimitri M. L. van Ryckeghem³  Stefaan Van Damme³  Geert Crombez³  Reinout W. H. J. Wiers⁷ 

[1] Health, and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University;Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University;Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University;Research Unit Integrative Research Unit on Social and Individual Development (INSIDE), Institute of Health and Behaviour, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Luxembourg;Section Experimental Health Psychology, Clinical Psychological Science Departments, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University;Centre for Pain Research, University of Bath, United Kingdom;Addiction Development and Psychopathology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam

关键词: itch;    attention;    attention bias;    attention bias modification (ABM);    attention training;    pruritus;    psychodermatology;    dot-probe paradigm;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fmed.2021.627593

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Itch draws our attention to allow imposing action against bodily harm (e.g., remove insects). At the same time, itch is found to interfere with ongoing tasks and daily life goals. Despite the key role of attention in itch processing, interventions that train individuals to automatically disengage attention from itch cues are lacking. The present proof-of-principle attention bias modification (ABM) training study was aimed at investigating whether attention to itch as well as sensitivity to mild itch can be changed. Healthy volunteers were randomized over three ABM-training conditions. Training was done via a modified pictorial dot-probe task. In particular, participants were trained to look away from itch stimuli ( n = 38), toward itch stimuli ( n = 40) or not trained toward or away from itch at all (sham training, n = 38). The effects of the ABM-training were tested primarily on attention to itch pictures. Secondarily, it was investigated whether training effects generalized to alterations in attention to itch words and mechanical itch sensitivity. The ABM-training did not alter attention toward the itch pictures, and there was no moderation by baseline levels of attention bias for itch. Also, attention bias to the itch words and itch sensitivity were not affected by the ABM-training. This study was a first step toward trainings to change attention toward itch. Further research is warranted to optimize ABM-training methodology, for example increasing motivation of participants. Eventually, an optimized training could be used in patient populations who suffer most from distraction by their symptoms of itch.

【 授权许可】

CC BY