Antoinette van Laarhoven
Associate Professor
- Name
- Dr. A.I.M. van Laarhoven
- Telephone
- +31 71 527 6634
- a.vanlaarhoven@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
- ORCID iD
- 0000-0001-6932-9283
Short CV
Antoinette van Laarhoven obtained her master degree in Biomedical Sciences (2006) and her PhD (Itch and pain: common and distinct psychophysiological processes, 2012) at the Radboudumc, Nijmegen. After her PhD, she worked some years as post-doctoral researcher. Since 2014, she has worked as assistant professor at the Health, Medical, and Neuropsychology unit at Leiden University.
Research
Dr. van Laarhoven investigates the role of psychophysiological processes in itch and pain, for instance due to inflammatory (e.g., atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis) and non-inflammatory (e.g., post-burn itch, fibromyalgia) conditions. Her research line primarily focuses on how attentional processes and expectancies can aggravate and relief itch and pain. Various psychophysiological measures are applied within her experimental research, for instance itch and pain inductions by quantitative sensory testing (QST), electroencephalography (EEG), behavioral tasks (e.g., the dot-probe task, Flanker task), and eye tracking. Recently, she implemented the use of virtual reality in her research. The psychophysiological knowledge obtained could contribute to prevention, early diagnosis of patients at risk to develop chronic itch or pain (e.g., based on biomarkers), and more effective treatment of chronic diseases. The final aim is to improve patients' well-being.
Research projects
- Attentional processing of itch and pain
- The Role of Expectancies and Avoidance Learning in the Maintenance of Somatic Symptoms
- The power of expectations: Unraveling the role of placebo and nocebo effects in somatic symptoms
Teaching
Bachelor Psychology
- Coordinator and lecturer of the elective Pharmacological and biological approaches to clinical and health psychology
- Supervisor Bachelor projects Psychology
- Tutor workgroups Health & Medical Psychology
(Research) Master Psychology
- Coordinator and tutor workgroups RM-course Research Topics in Health Promotion
- Supervisor master theses and research internships master tracks Health and Medical Psychology, and Clinical Neuropsychology
Grants
2019: NWO Gravitation Grant (headed by Prof Jansen; Antoinette van Laarhoven is part of the project as young talent)
2018: Research project grant from Leiden University (role: project leader and Co-PI)
2017: Leiden University Fund (LUF) - Den Dulk-Moermans Fund (PI)
2015: Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research Veni grant (PI)
2014: Grant from the Dutch Burn (project leader and Co-PI)
Awards
2019: John de Korte Travel Grant to present at 18th Congress of the European Society for Dermatology and Psychiatry (ESDaP) Giessen, Germany
2013/2015: International Forum for the Study of itch (IFSI) Travel grants to present at the World Congresses on Itch.
2013: Association for Researchers in Psychology & Health (ARPH) - PhD Thesis Award for the best PhD thesis on psychology and health in 2012.
2011: Dutch Society for Psychodermatology (NVPD) – Article prize for the best publication in the field of Psychodermatology over 2010 and 2011.
Supervised PhD candidates
Current projects
- Gita Nadinda, Expect to Avoid: The role of expectancy and avoidance in the chronification of somatic symptoms
- Jennifer Becker, Attentional Processing of Itch: A psychophysical approach
- LingLing Weng, Transferability of the placebo and nocebo effect between itch and pain
Finished Projects
- Danielle Bartels, Induction of expectancy mechanisms underlying placebo and nocebo effects applied to physical sensations, 2020
- Kaya Peerdeman, Harnessing placebo effects by targeting expectancies, 2018
Relevant links
Personal website
LinkedIn profile
Research Gate profile
Google Scholar
Memberships societies, research schools, and institutes
- International Forum for the Study on Itch (IFSI)
- International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
- Dutch Flemish Postgraduate School for Research and Education Experimental Psychopathology (EPP)
- Association for Researchers in Psychology and Health (ARPH)
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC)
- Dutch Society for Psychodermatology (NVPD) (role: secretary)
Associate Professor
- Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen
- Instituut Psychologie
- Gezondheids, Medische- Neuropsychologie
- Becker J.M., Ryckeghem D.M.L. van, Damme S. van, Crombez G., Schoot Y., Wiers R.W.H.J., Rippe R.C. A. & van Laarhoven A.I. M. (2023), Subliminal attentional bias modification training for itch, Frontiers in Medicine 10: .
- Nadinda P.G., Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Evers A.W.M., Maas J. & Beugen S. van (2023), Itch-related avoidance and attentional biases in patients with psoriasis?, Journal of Investigative Dermatology 143: 1848-1850.e8.
- Blythe J.S., Thomaïdou A.M., Peerdeman K.J., Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Schothorst M.M.E. van, Veldhuijzen D.S. & Evers. A.W.M. (2023), Placebo effects on cutaneous pain and itch: a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental results and methodology, Pain 164(6): 1181-1199.
- Thomaïdou A.M., Blythe J.S., Peerdeman K.J., Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Schothorst M.M.E. van, Veldhuijzen D.S. & Evers A.W.M. (2023), Learned nocebo effects on cutaneous sensations of pain and itch: a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental behavioral studies on healthy humans, Psychosomatic Medicine 85(4): 308-321.
- Weng L., Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Peerdeman K.J. & Evers A.W.M. (2022), Do individual psychological characteristics predict induction and generalization of nocebo and placebo effects on pain and itch?, Frontiers in Psychiatry 13: 838578.
- Meeuwis S.H. Skvortsova A. Laarhoven A.I M. van Holle H. Evers A.W.M. (2022), Can contagious itch be affected by positive and negative suggestions?, Experimental Dermatology 31(12): 1853-1862.
- Van Loey N.E.E., Jong A.E.E. de, Hofland H.W.C. & Laarhoven A.I.M. van (2022), Role of burn severity and posttraumatic stress symptoms in the co-occurrence of itch and neuropathic pain after burns: a longitudinal study, Frontiers in Medicine 9: 01-09.
- Etty S., George D.N., Laarhoven A.I.M. van & Holle H. (2022), Acute itch induces attentional avoidance of itch-related Information, Acta Dermato-Venereologica 102: adv00691.
- Millard S.K., Bokelmann K., Schalbroeck R., Wee N.J.A. van der, Loey N.E.E. van & Laarhoven A.I.M. van (2022), No indications for altered EEG oscillatory activity in patients with chronic post-burn itch compared to healthy controls, Scientific Reports 12: 5184.
- Weng L., Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Peerdeman K.J. & Evers A.W.M. (2022), Induction and generalization of nocebo effects on itch, Experimental Dermatology 31(6): 878-889.
- Becker J.M., Vreijling S.R., Van Damme S., Kovacs E.A., Veldhuijzen D.S., Lavrijsen A.P.M., van Ryckeghem D.M.L., Crombez G., Evers A.W.M. & Laarhoven A.I.M. van (2022), Attentional interference, but no attentional bias, by tonic itch and pain stimulation, Itch 7(1): e36.
- Weng L. Peerdeman K.J. Della Porta D. Laarhoven A.I.M. van Evers A.W.M. (2022), Can placebo and nocebo effects generalize within pain modalities and across somatosensory sensations?, Pain 163(3): 548-559.
- Becker J.M., Holle H., Ryckeghem D.M.L. van, Damme S. van, Crombez G., Veldhuijzen D.S., Evers A.W.M., Rippe R.C.A. & Laarhoven A.I.M. van (2022), No preconscious attentional bias towards itch in healthy individuals, PLoS ONE 17: 1-17 (0273581).
- Blythe J.S., Peerdeman K.J., Veldhuijzen D.S., Schothorst M.M.E. van, Thomaïdou M.A., Laarhoven A.I.M. van & Evers A.W.M. (2021), Nocebo effects on cowhage-evoked itch: a randomized controlled trial of classical conditioning and observational learning, Acta Dermato-Venereologica 101(1): adv00370 (adv00370).
- Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Becker J.M., Ryckeghem D. van, Damme S. van, Crombez G. & Wiers R. (2021), Attentional bias modification training for itch: a proof-of-principle study in healthy individuals, Frontiers in Medicine 8: 627593.
- Thomaïdou A.M., Blythe J.S., Houtman S.J., Veldhuijzen D.S., Laarhoven A.I.M. van & Evers A.W.M. (2021), Temporal structure of brain oscillations predicts learned nocebo responses to pain, Scientific Reports 11(1): 9807.
- Becker J.M., Vreijling S.R., Dobbinga S., Giesbers J.J.J., Evers A.W.M., Veldhuijzen D.S. & an Laarhoven A.I.M. (2020), Attentional bias towards visual itch and pain stimuli in itch- and pain-free individuals, Acta Dermato-Venereologica 100(4): adv00199.
- Laarhoven A.I.M. van & Holle H. (2020), Optimizing audiovisual itch induction: the role of attention and expectancy, British Journal of Dermatology 182(5): 1088-1089.
- Meeuwis S.H., Middendorp H. van, Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Leijenhorst C. van, Pacheco-Lopez G., Lavrijsen A.P.M., Veldhuijzen D.S. & Evers A.W.M. (2020), Placebo and nocebo effects for itch and itch-related immune outcomes: a systematic review of animal and human studies, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 113: 325-337.
- Meeuwis S.H., Middendorp H. van, Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Veldhuijzen D.S., Lavrijsen A.P.M. & Evers A.W.M. (2019), Effects of Open- and Closed-Label Nocebo and Placebo Suggestions on Itch and Itch Expectations, Frontiers in Psychiatry 10: e436.
- Blythe J.S., Peerdeman K.J., Veldhuijzen D.S., Laarhoven A.I.M. van & Evers A.W.M. (2019), Placebo and nocebo effects on itch: A review of experimental methods, Itch 4(3): e27.
- Dominick F.M.P.H., Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Evers A.W.M. & Weisshaar E. (2019), A systematic review of questionnaires on itch by the Special Interest Group “Questionnaires” of the International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI), Itch 4(3): e26.
- Van Laarhoven A.I.M., Marker J.B., Elberling J., Yosipovitch G., Arendt-Nielsen L. & Andersen H.H. (2019), Itch sensitization? A systematic review of studies using quantitative sensory testing in patients with chronic itch, Pain 160(12): 2661-2678.
- Evers A.W.M., Peerdeman K.J. & Laarhoven A.I.M. van (2019), What is new in the psychology of chronic itch, Experimental Dermatology 28(12): 1442-1447.
- Peerdeman K.J., Tekampe J., Van Laarhoven A.I.M., Van Middendorp H., Rippe R.C.A., Peters M.L. & Evers A.W.M. (2018), Expectations about the effectiveness of pain- and itch-relieving medication administered via different routes, European Journal of Pain 22(4): 774-783.
- Andersen H.H., Akiyama T., Nattkemper L.A., Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Elberling J., Yosipovitch G. & Arendt-Nielsen L. (2018), Alloknesis and hyperknesis - mechanisms, assessment methodology and clinical implications of itch sensitization, Pain 159(7): 1185-1197.
- Andersen H.H., Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Justesen F.D., Pedersen J.B., Sørensen L.L., Jensen L.P. & Arendt-Nielsen L. (2018), Capsaicin-sensitive cutaneous primary afferents convey electrically induced itch in humans, Neuroscience Letters 666: 186-189.
- Bartels D.J.P., Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Kerkhof P.C.M. van de & Evers A.W.M. (2018), Nocebo effects and scratching behaviour on itch, Acta Dermato-Venereologica 98(10): 943-950.
- Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Damme S. van, Lavrijsen A.P.M., Ryckeghem D.M. van, Crombez G. & Evers A.W.M. (2018), Attentional processing of itch, Psychological Research 82(5): 876-888.
- Meeuwis S.H., Middendorp H. van, Veldhuijzen D.S., Laarhoven A.I.M. van, De Houwer J., Lavrijsen A.P.M. & Evers A.W.M. (2018), Placebo effects of open-label verbal suggestions on itch, Acta Dermato-Venereologica 98(2): 268-274.
- Tekampe J., Peerdeman K.J., Bartels D.J.P., Laarhoven A.I.M. van & Evers A.W.M. (2018), Placebo- und Nocebo-effekte bei Pruritus: Methodologische und klinische Implikationen, Der Hautarzt 69(8): 626-630.
- Bartels D.J.P., Van Laarhoven A.I.M., Heijmans N., Hermans D., Debeer E., Van de Kerkhof P.C.M. & Evers A.W.M. (2017), Cognitive schemas in placebo and nocebo responding: role of autobiographical memories and expectations, Clinical Therapeutics 39(3): 502-512.e1.
- Bartels D.J.P., Van Laarhoven A.I.M., Stroo M., Hijne K., Peerdeman K.J., Donders A.R.T., Van de Kerkhof P.C.M. & Evers A.W.M. (2017), Minimizing nocebo effects by conditioning with verbal suggestion: A randomized clinical trial in healthy humans, PLoS ONE 12(9): e0182959.
- Andersen H.H., Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Elberling J. & Arendt-Nielsen L. (2017), Modulation of itch by conditioning itch and pain stimulation in healthy humans, The Journal of Pain 18(12): 1437-1450.
- Van Laarhoven A.I.M., Van Damme S., Lavrijsen A.P.M., Van Ryckeghem D.M., Crombez G. & Evers A.W.M. (2017), Do tonic itch and pain stimuli draw attention towards their location, BioMed Research International 2017: e2031627.
- Peerdeman K.J., Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Bartels D.J.P., Peters M.L. & Evers A.W.M. (2017), Placebo-like analgesia via response imagery, European Journal of Pain 21(8): 1366-1377.
- Pereira M.P., Pogatzki-Zahn E., Snels C., Vu T.H., Üçeyler N., Loser K., Sommer C., Evers A.W.M., Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Agelopoulos K. & Ständer S. (2017), There is no functional small-fibre neuropathy in prurigo nodularis despite neuroanatomical alterations, Experimental Dermatology 26(10): 969-971.
- Peerdeman K.J., Van Laarhoven A.I., Keij S.M., Vase L., Rovers M.M., Peters M.L. & Evers A.W. (2016), Relieving patients' pain with expectation interventions: A meta-analysis, Pain 157(6): 1179-1191.
- Bartels D.J.P., Van Laarhoven A.I.M., Van de Kerkhof P.C.M. & Evers A.W.M. (2016), Placebo and nocebo effects on itch: effects, mechanisms, and predictors, European Journal of Pain 20(1): 8-13.
- Evers A.W.M., Peerdeman K.J., Bartels D.J.P. & Van Laarhoven A.I.M. (2016), Placebo and nocebo effects on itch: methodological and clinical implications. In: Misery L. & Ständer S. (Eds.), Pruritus. New York: Springer. 103-110.
- Van Laarhoven A.I.M., Ulrich D.J.O., Wilder-Smith O.H., Loey N.E.E.Van , Nieuwenhuis M., Wee N.J.A.Van der & Evers A.W.M. (2016), Psychophysiological processing of itch in patients with chronic post-burn itch an exploratory study, Acta Dermato-Venereologica 96: 613-618.
- Peerdeman K.J., Laarhoven A.I.M. van, Peters M.L. & Evers A.W.M. (2016), An integrative review of the influence of expectancies on pain, Frontiers in Psychology 7: 1270.
- Van Beugen S., Maas J., Van Laarhoven A.I.M., Galesloot T.E., Rinck M., Becker E.S., Van de Kerkhof P.C.M., Van Middendorp H. & Evers A.W.M. (2016), Implicit stigmatization-related biases in individuals with skin conditions and their significant others, Health Psychology 35(8): 861-865.
- Peerdeman K.J., Van Laarhoven A.I.M., Donders A.R.T., Hopman M.T.E., Peters M.L. & Evers A.W.M. (2015), Inducing expectations for health: Effects of verbal suggestion and imagery on pain, itch, and fatigue as indicators of physical sensitivity, PLoS ONE 10(10): e0139563.
- Van Laarhoven A.I., Van der Sman-Mauriks I.M., Donders A.R., Pronk M.C., Van de Kerkhof P.C. & Evers A.W.M. (2015), Placebo effects on itch: a meta-analysis of clinical trials of patients with dermatological conditions, Journal of Investigative Dermatology 135(5): 1234-1243.
- Bartels D.J.P., Van Laarhoven A.I.M., Haverkamp E.A., Wilder-Smith O.H., Donders A.R.T., Middendorp H. van, Kerkhof P.C.M. van de & Evers A.W.M. (2014), Role of Conditioning and Verbal Suggestion in Placebo and Nocebo Effects on Itch, PLoS ONE 9(3): .
- Evers A.W.M., Verhoeven E.W.M., Van Middendorp H., Sweep F.G.J., Kraaimaat F.W., Donders A.R.T., Eijsbouts A.E., Van Laarhoven A.I.M., De Brouwer S.J.M., Wirken L., Radstake T.R.D.J. & Van Riel P.L.C.M. (2014), Does stress affect the joints? Daily stressors, stress vulnerability, immune and HPA axis activity, and short-term disease and symptom fluctuations in rheumatoid arthritis, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 73(9): 1683-1688.
- Evers A.W.M., Bartels D.J.P. & Van Laarhoven A.I.M. (2014), Placebo and nocebo effects in itch and pain. In: Benedetti F., Enck P., Frisaldi E. & Schedlowski M. (Eds.), Placebo. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology no. 225. Berlin Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag. 205-214.
- Van Laarhoven A.I.M., Kraaimaat F.W., Wilder-Smith O.H., Van Riel P.L.C.M., Van de Kerkhof P.C.M. & Evers A.W.M. (2013), Sensitivity to itch and pain in patients with psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, Experimental Dermatology 22: 530-534.
- Van Laarhoven A.I.M., Van der Sman-Mauriks I.M., Van de Kerkhof P.C.M. & Evers A.W.M. (2013), Placebo effects on itch: A review of clinical trials, Acta Dermato-Venereologica 93: 617.
- Van Laarhoven A.I.M., Vogelaar M.L., Wilder-Smith O.H., Van Riel P.L.C.M., Van de Kerkhof P.C.M., Kraaimaat F.W. & Evers A.W.M. (2011), Induction of nocebo and placebo effects on itch and pain by verbal suggestions, Pain 152(7): 1486-1494.
- Van Laarhoven A.I.M., Kraaimaat F.W., Wilder-Smith O.H. & Evers A.W.M. (2010), Role of attentional focus on bodily sensations in sensitivity to itch and pain, Acta Dermato-Venereologica 90(1): 46-51.
- Van Laarhoven A.I.M., Kraaimaat F.W., Wilder-Smith O.H., Van de Kerkhof P.C.M. & Evers A.W.M. (2010), Heterotopic pruritic conditioning and itch - Analogous to DNIC in pain?, Pain 149(2): 332-337.
- Vice-voorzitter