Amnesic and anxiolytic effects of intravenous diazepam in dental anxiety.
The effects of intravenous administration of diazepam (average 20 mg) on learning, performance and mood were assessed in dental patients. These patients required sedation due to excessive anxiety in a dental situation, or because they were to undergo stressful surgery. On a verbal learning task, subjects recalled and recognized significantly fewer words from a list presented after drug administration than from a list presented prior to drug administration, when tested at the end of the treatment period. When tested after treatment, subjects recognised few of a series of picture postcards that had been presented to them during the course of treatment. Subjects showed no significant impairments after diazepam treatment on digit-symbol substitution, symbol copying or number cancellation tasks compared to pre-treatment scores; however, there was a small but significant reduction in the number of finger-taps made. Mood-rating scales showed significant increases in sedation and well-being after diazepam treatment compared to pre-treatment scores, and also a significant reduction in anxiety levels. This study shows that the amnesic effects of diazepam are present in a "real-life" stress situation.
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003975:Diazepam