Behavioural treatment of post-traumatic and vibration-induced digital cold sensitivity.
Cold sensitivity is a common problem after all types of hand injuries. The aim of the present study was to assess possible effects of treatment by Pavlovian conditioning, a behavioural treatment method for digital cold sensitivity where whole body cold exposure becomes associated with warm hands. Eighteen hand-injured patients and nine patients with vibration-induced problems in their hands completed the treatment. Questionnaires and questions, assessment of perception of touch/pressure and skin temperatures after cold provocation, was made before and after the completed period of treatment and after 6 and 12 months. The results indicated subjective improvement in the hand-injured group in contrast to a lack of response in the vibration group. An increased digital skin temperature after treatment was noted for the vibration-exposed group only, which however did not persist at 6 and 12 months' follow-up.
Department of Hand Surgery, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. ingela.carlsson@skane.se
Ingela
I
Carlsson
Ragnhild
R
Cederlund
Jan
J
Holmberg
Göran
G
Lundborg
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003214:Conditioning, Classical; D017679:Cryotherapy; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000503:physiopathology; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011312:Pressure; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014110:Touch; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects