The effect of photobiomodulation on histamine and Mucuna pruriens-induced pruritus, hyperknesis and alloknesis in healthy volunteers: A double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study

Background Photobiomodulation, also referred to as Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT), has emerged as a promising intervention for pruritus, a prevalent and often distressing symptom. Objectives This study investigated the efficacy of low-level light therapy (LLLT) in alleviating pruritus, hyperknesis, and alloknesis induced by histamine and Mucuna pruriens. Methods In a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial with a split-body design, healthy volunteers underwent 6 minutes of LLLT and sham treatments in separate upper back quadrants. The histamine model was applied to the upper quadrants, and Mucuna pruriens to the lower quadrants. Pruritus intensity, alloknesis, hyperknesis, flare area, and skin temperature were measured pre and post treatment. Results Seventeen individuals (eight females, nine males) participated in the study. In the histamine model, LLLT notably reduced itch intensity (difference = 13.9 (95% CI: 10.5 − 17.4), p = 0.001), alloknesis (difference = 0.80 (95% CI: 0.58–1.02), p = 0.001), and hyperknesis (difference = 0.48 (95% CI: 0.09–0.86), p = 0.01). Skin temperature changes were not significantly different between the two groups (difference = -2.0 (95% CI: -6.7–2.6), p = 0.37). For the Mucuna pruriens model, no significant differences were observed in any measures, including itch intensity (difference = 0.8 (95% CI: -2.3 − 3.8), p = 0.61) hyperknesis (difference = 0.08 (95% CI: -0.06–0.33), p = 0.16) and alloknesis (difference = 0. 0.09 (95% CI: -0.08–0.256), p = 0.27). Conclusions LLLT effectively reduced histamine-induced pruritus, alloknesis, and hyperknesis; however, LLLT was ineffective against Mucuna pruriens-induced pruritus. Further investigations are required to determine LLLT’s effectiveness of LLLT in various pruritus models.