Citation

Carlsson I, Cederlund R, Holmberg J, Lundborg G. Scand. J. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. Hand Surg. 2003; 37(6): 371-378.

Affiliation

Department of Hand Surgery, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. ingela.carlsson@skane.se

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15328778

Abstract

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.

Language: en