Hemodialysis patients with mild pruritus, , 67.2 ± 9.8 y Hemodialysis history: 24.6 ± 5.6 mo
(i) EG (): hydrogel containing 20% natural ingredients (e.g., aloe vera and vitamin E) and 80% water was applied to the skin twice a day for 2 wk before stopping for 2 wk; (ii) CG (): none; (iii) blood flow, dialysate flow rates, and artificial kidneys of the patients were not changed during the experimental stage; no medication was used; (iv) aqueous gel contains high amount of water and could reduce itching
(1) Three measurements: weeks 0 (pretest), 2, and 4; (2) pruritus: VAS; (3) emotional disturbance: VAS; (4) dry skin and scratches: assessed by 2 clinical physicians; (5) blood biochemistry values: WBC, eosinophilic leukocytes, hematocrit, RBC, Hb, platelets, total protein, potassium, calcium, uric acid, and iPTH
(i) Severity of pruritus: EG changed at week 2, differing from the CG; (ii) skin dryness: EG changed at week 2, differing from the CG; (iii) skin scratches: EG changed in both weeks 2 and 4 compared with week 0, differing from the CG; (iv) emotional disturbance: EG changed at week 2, differing from the CG; (v) blood biochemistry values: the 2 groups did not differ within each group or between the 2 groups at the 3 points
Random (1), double-blind (2), inclusion and exclusion (1), withdrawals and reasons (1), adverse reactions (0), and statistics (1): 6/8
Hemodialysis patients with severe pruritus (affecting sleep and lifestyle for at least 2 mo), , EG: 51 ± 2.58 y, CG: 54 ± 4.48 y Hemodialysis history: unspecified Antipruritic agents and oral antihistamines were not used
(i) EG (, 9 people completed the course of treatment): broadband UVB (285–350 nm spectrum) irradiation was administered twice a week for 6 wk; (ii) CG (, 6 people completed the course of treatment): UVA (315–400-nm spectrum) was used twice a week for 6 wk; (iii) using UV light on skin aims to enhance the skin anti-inflammatory effects and regulation of immunity
(1) Four measurements: weeks 0, 2, 4, and 6; (2) pruritus: VAS and PS
(i) Severity of pruritus: EG dropped significantly in weeks 2, 4, and 6 (PS, with high consistency between PS and VAS); the CG exhibited no difference; (ii) the results from an average of 8.3 mo of tracking of the EG indicated that 4 of the patients stated that the pruritus recurred after 3 mo but that the symptoms were milder; (iii) adverse reactions in the form of skin browning
Random (2), double-blind, inclusion and exclusion (1), withdrawal and follow-up (1), adverse reactions (1), and statistics (1): 7/8
Hemodialysis patients with severe pruritus, , EG: 62.4 ± 9.1 y, CG: 63.2 ± .5 y Hemodialysis history: EG: 59.8 ± 52.8 mo, CG: 61.3 ± 53.2 mo
(i) EG (): acupuncture at the quchi point 3 times a week for 1 h each session, continuing for 1 mo; (ii) CG (): acupuncture 2 cm away from the quchi point 3 times a week for 1 h each time, continuing for 1 mo; (iii) the “gate theory” suggests that acupuncture generates impulses and rapidly conductive beta and delta fibers, therefore, opiate like substances are released and block C fiber impulses
(1) Three measurements: pretest (M0), posttest (M1), and M3; (2) severity of pruritus: PS; (3) blood biochemistry; values: magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, and iPTH
(i) Severity of pruritus: PS values for the EG at the M1 posttest and M3 decreased significantly, whereas those of the CG did not differ significantly; (ii) blood biochemistry values: no statistical differences
Random (1), double-blind (2), inclusion and exclusion (1), withdrawal and reasons (1), adverse reactions (1), and statistics (1): 7/8
Hemodialysis patients with moderate pruritus, , 67.8 ± 12.9 y Hemodialysis history: EG: 3.8 ± 3.2 y, CG1: 2.2 ± 1.6 y, CG2: 3.7 ± 2.8 y Antipruritic medicine was stopped temporarily 2 wk before the experiment
(i) EG (, completed by 21 people): lotion containing Dead Sea mineral and mud (DS) and moisturizing ingredients; (ii) CG1 (, completed by 20 people): lotion (containing moisturizing ingredients but not DS); (iii) CG2 (, completed by 24 people): lotion (containing neither moisturizing ingredients nor DS); (iv) usage method: twice daily (once after showering) for 3 wk; (v) the study did not show efficacy of Dead Sea mud
(1) Two measurements: before the experiment (week 0) and 2 wk after the experiment (week 2); (2) skin condition: itching, dryness, peeling, and tightness; (3) sleep disorders: 0 to 4 points; (4) treatment satisfaction: 0 to 4 points; (5) blood biochemistry values: serum potassium, calcium, PTH, chemistry, liver function tests, and C-reactive protein (CRP)
(i) Skin conditions of the 3 groups improved significantly in every category (itching, dryness, peeling, and tightness). The changes in the experimental intervention (Dead Sea mud lotion) and the other 2 groups (the control groups) did not differ significantly; (ii) the 3 groups did not change significantly in sleep or treatment satisfaction; (iii) pruritus, dryness, sleep disorders, and treatment satisfaction were correlated; (iv) blood biochemistry values: no change
Random (2), double-blind (1), inclusion and exclusion (1), withdrawal and follow-up (1), adverse reaction (1), and statistics (1): 7/8
Hemodialysis patients with moderate and severe pruritus, , 61.90 ± 2.16 y Hemodialysis history: EG: 74.43 ± 8.91 mo, CG: 59.80 ± 7.81 mo
(i) EG (): temperature therapy using far-infrared rays at 40°C on the sanyinjiao position once a day for 15 min, twice per week for 18 sessions; (ii) CG (): a plain adhesive patch on the sanyinjiao position Intervention frequency was the same as that in the experimental group; (iii) neither group experienced abnormal events during the process; (iv) this method aims to accelerate the blood circulation and enhance cell metabolism and supply more oxygen to the body, activating the immune response
(1) Three measurements: before the experiment (M0) and during the first (M1) and second (M2) months of the experiment; (2) feelings of pruritus: VAS and the uremic pruritus questionnaire; (3) blood biochemistry values: Ca, P, Hb, Hct, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, iPTH, Ca/P ratio, urea reduction ratio, and urea
(i) Severity of pruritus: although the EG’s VAS and uremic pruritus questionnaire scores declined at M1 and M2 in comparison with M0, they did not differ statistically from those of the CG; (ii) blood biochemistry values: both groups differed statistically in Ca
Random (2), double-blind (1), inclusion and exclusion (1), withdrawal and follow-up (1), adverse reactions (1), and statistics (1): 7/8
Hemodialysis patients with light pruritus (6.64 ± 3.1, 0–21 points), no improvement after 1 mo with oral or injected antihistamines, , 61.88 ± 12.7 y Hemodialysis history: 63.78 ± 50 mo
(i) EG1 (): low-temperature baby oil (10°C to 15°C) at least once a day for 15 min each time over 3 wk; (ii) EG2 (): room-temperature baby oil (24°C to 26°C) at least once a day for 15 min each time over 3 wk; (iii) CG (): routine care; (iv) this method focuses on increasing moisture, while cold may reduce nerve conduction, inflammation, and chemical stimuli
(i) Two measurements: pretest and posttest; (ii) severity of pruritus: ISS
Severity of Pruritus: EG1 and EG2 improved significantly more than the CG did in total ISS scores. EG1 and EG2 did not differ from each other
Random (2), double-blind (0), inclusion and exclusion (1), withdrawal and follow-up (1), adverse reactions (1), and statistics (1): 6/8
Hemodialysis patients with moderate to severe pruritus, , 49.6 ± 11.2 y Hemodialysis history: 24.6 ± 3.1 mo
(i) The 2 sides of the participants’ bodies served as experimental and control groups for testing. A cream containing sericin was used for the limbs on one side, whereas a placebo was used for the limbs on the other side; (ii) twice a day for 6 wk; (iii) sericin has excellent moisturizing effect; its biological activity can activate cells and reduce inflammation
(1) Four measurements: weeks 0 (pretest), 2, 4, and 6; (2) skin condition: SD27 used to test skin hydration, redness, and pigmentation; (3) pruritus: VAS; (4) quality of life: QoL and KDQOL-SF
(i) Experimental locations: improvement in severity of pruritus; skin demonstrated reduced reddening and pigmentation (weeks 2, 4, and 6); increased hydration (weeks 4 and 6); placebo reduced redness on the leg (week 6) (ii) QoL: only scores on the pain subscale dropped; (iii) KDQOL-SF: total scores did not change significantly
Random (0), double-blind (2), inclusion and exclusion (1), exits and tracking withdrawal and follow-up (1), adverse reactions (1), and statistics (1): 6/8
Notes: EG: experimental group; CG: control group; VAS: visual analog scale; PS: pruritic score; ISS: itch severity scale; SD27: skin diagnosis SD27; QoL: quality of life; KDQOL-SF: Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form.
