Pruritus and Attentional Bias: The effect of gender, depression and anxiety on attentional bias in a population afflicted by chronic itch

This project investigated if there was any association between attentional bias (AB) towards itch-related stimuli and depression and anxiety scores in patients with chronic itch compared to healthy controls. This study also explored if gender had an influence on any of these variables. An orientation dot-probe task with pictures adjusted to chronic itch was used as a measurement of AB. 16 pairings of a neutral image and an itch-related image which were displayed on screen for 500ms, either image was then replaced by two dots in either a horizontal or vertical orientation. Participants responded as quickly as possible to the orientation of the dots. The average reaction times were used to calculate an AB index for each participant. There were 6 participants in total: 5 with chronic itch and 1 healthy control. Patients with chronic itch were diagnosed with either psoriasis or atopic dermatitis(eczema). Participants also completed questionnaires including the DASS-21. Results showed...Show moreThis project investigated if there was any association between attentional bias (AB) towards itch-related stimuli and depression and anxiety scores in patients with chronic itch compared to healthy controls. This study also explored if gender had an influence on any of these variables. An orientation dot-probe task with pictures adjusted to chronic itch was used as a measurement of AB. 16 pairings of a neutral image and an itch-related image which were displayed on screen for 500ms, either image was then replaced by two dots in either a horizontal or vertical orientation. Participants responded as quickly as possible to the orientation of the dots. The average reaction times were used to calculate an AB index for each participant. There were 6 participants in total: 5 with chronic itch and 1 healthy control. Patients with chronic itch were diagnosed with either psoriasis or atopic dermatitis(eczema). Participants also completed questionnaires including the DASS-21. Results showed that patients did not have higher levels of depression and anxiety symptomatology compared to the healthy control. There was no significant effect of group on AB indexes; the reaction times were not faster in patients with chronic itch compared to the healthy control. There was no significant effect of gender on depression and anxiety scores, or on AB. Future research is suggested to improve psychometric properties of AB paradigms. Likewise, this project calls for increased research into treatment possibilities for chronic itch, not only for somatic symptoms but for the emotional, cognitive, and behavioural consequences of these conditions.Show less

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Pruritus and Attentional Bias: The effect of gender, depression and anxiety on attentional bias in a population afflicted by chronic itch