Amnesic and Anxiolytic Effects of Intravenous Diazepam in Dental Anxiety

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Abstract
The effects of intravenous administration of diazepam (average 20mg) on learning, performance and mood were assessed in dental patients. These patients required sedation due to excessive anxiety in a dental situation, or because they were to undergo stressful surgery. On a verbal learning task, subjects recalled and recognized significantly fewer words from a list presented after drug administration than from a list presented prior to drug administration, when tested at the end of the treatment period. When tested after treatment, subjects recognised few of a series of picture postcards that had been presented to them during the course of treatment. Subjects showed no significant impairments after diazepam treatment on digit-symbol substitution, symbol copying or number cancellation tasks compared to pre-treatment scores; however, there was a small but significant reduction in the number of finger-taps made. Mood-rating scales showed significant increases in sedation and well-being after diazepam treatment compared to pre-treatment scores, and also a significant reduction in anxiety levels. This study shows that the amnesic effects of diazepam are present in a “real-life” stress situation.

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