Evaluation of a home treatment program for cold hypersensitivity using a classical conditioning procedure in patients with hand and arm injuries

Abstract Study design Case series. Introduction A home treatment program using a classical conditioning procedure to decrease cold hypersensitivity has potential to reduce symptoms. Purpose To evaluate a home treatment program for cold hypersensitivity using a classical conditioning procedure in patients who are cold hypersensitive after hand and arm injuries. Methods A series of 22 patients followed a classical conditioning procedure consisting of exposing the body to cold outdoor temperatures and immersing the hands in warm water, every other day, for five weeks. The McCabe Cold Sensitivity Severity scale (CSS) was used to measure cold hypersensitivity twice before treatment, at four weeks, and at one year after treatment; Likert scales was used for the patients ratings of improvements. A cold stress test was performed to evaluate rewarming capacity in injured fingers. Results From the 20 patients, who returned questionnaires at all assessment points, 9 reported a small and three reported a moderate improvement in cold hypersensitivity after treatment. There was a trend toward improvement in the CSS (median 36; interquartile range −19 to 60) and in the rewarming pattern of fingers that were initially slow to rewarm. The improvements were sustained or increased at one-year follow-up. Conclusion These preliminary results suggest that the classical conditioning procedure to treat cold hypersensitivity has potential and should be further explored in a trial with more rigorous design. Level of evidence IV.