Abstract
Introduction
A local anaesthetic cream, EMLA®, applied temporarily to the forearm can improve sensory functions in the hands, both in healthy individuals and in patients with nerve injury. The treatment concept is an example of guided plasticity where the dynamic capacity of the central nervous system is used for therapeutic purposes. However, the optimal dose and duration of the anaesthetic cream is not known and this is addressed here.
Methods
Sixty healthy volunteers participated in this experimental study. They were randomised to one of six groups of 10 and received either 10 g or 20 g of EMLA® on the volar part of the forearm for either 60, 90 or 120 min, respectively. Outcome measures were touch thresholds and discriminative touch in digits II and V.
Results
There was a statistically significant improvement in touch threshold as well as discriminative touch in all six groups. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the six different dose and duration combinations.
Conclusions
It is concluded that 10 g of EMLA® applied to the volar part of the forearm for 60 min may be adequate to induce improved hand sensibility.
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