Randomized crossover trial of cool-temperature immersion treatment to improve hand function in patients with essential tremor

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the duration of therapeutic effect of cooling on hand function in patients with essential tremor. Forty-one patients with essential tremor (20 men and 21 women; aged 34–86 years) completed this study between August 2002 and December 2003. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of essential tremor with at least a one-year history of at least a +2 action or kinetic tremor of one or both upper limbs, and a positive family history of essential tremor. Exclusion criteria were pregnancy, sensory loss in the upper extremities, dermatologic lesions in the upper extremities, or sensitivity to cold.