Eye movement therapy shows promise for itchy skin conditions
NCT ID NCT06427122
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested a behavioral therapy called EMD-U in 96 adults with atopic dermatitis or prurigo nodularis who had a strong urge to scratch. The therapy involves focusing on the itchy spot while moving the eyes, repeated until the urge fades. Researchers compared EMD-U plus usual care to usual care alone, measuring quality of life and skin severity over 6 months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- EMD Protocol for Urge (EMD-U) - a behavioral therapy using eye movements to reduce the urge to scratch
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a drug-free way to help people with eczema or prurigo nodularis control their scratching and feel better day-to-day.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with only 96 participants. The therapy is behavioral, so results may vary widely, and it may not work for everyone or replace standard treatments.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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96 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2024
- Finished
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Sep 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 ≥ * A confirmed diagnosis of atopic dermatitis or prurigo nodularis * Suffering from persistent and frequent scratching behaviour * IGA-CPG activity score ≥ 3 OR Skindex-29 symptoms subscale score ≥ 42 * Stable course of treatment in the two weeks prior to the study (no medication change, etc.) * Sufficiently motivated to take part in a new intervention aimed at behaviour change Exclusion Criteria: * Insufficient understanding of Dutch language * Severe psychiatric disorders that require treatment first, such as delusional disorder or major depression * If medication is changed during the course of the study, the participant will be considered a drop-out from the moment the medication has changed.
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Erasmus University Medical Center
Rotterdam, 3015 GD, Netherlands
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