Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Double-blind, randomized, pilot study assessing the resolution of postburn pruritus.
The objective of this study was to evaluate whether Provase®, a nonprescription moisturizer with a blend of protease enzymes, would reduce postburn itching in adult burn survivors relative to a control moisturizer. This was a prospective, single-center, double-blinded, pilot study where 23 burn survivors were randomized to either the treatment group, who applied Provase, or the control group, who applied the base moisturizer used in Provase every 8 hours for 4 weeks. Twelve were randomized to the treatment and 11 to the control groups with 9 participants in each group completing the study. ⋯ The affective itch characteristics were significantly reduced for the treatment group for bothersome at weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4; for annoying at week 4; and for unbearable at weeks 2, 3, and 4. Although this was a pilot study and not powered for statistical differences, there were statistically significant differences for itch duration, weekly frequency, itch episodes per day, itch TBSA, and reported affective burden of itch after treatment. Further investigation is recommended with a larger sample size treated for a longer period of time where participants are stratified based on acute or chronic itch.