Stoop R1, Hohenauer E2, Clijsen R2
1University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Business, Economics and Social Health, Landquart, Switzerland, 2University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Business, Economics and Social Health, Landquart, Switzerland
Background: The use of topical over-the-counter products with a warming effect is widespread in the fields of sport, physiotherapy and in private households. Advertisements for such products promise pain relief when suffering from musculoskeletal disorders such as muscle tension, rheumatism or acute injuries, e.g. sprains. In the literature, there is only little information about the efficacy and the physiological mechanisms of topical warming products.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the change of skin characteristics after the single application of different topical warming products.
Methods: A randomized controlled double-blind study design was choosen. A total of n = 45 healthy subjects were asked to participate in the study. The application area was on the unilateral lumbar back region, whereas the contralateral side served as the control area. After an acclimatization period, the baseline measurements were performed, followed by a standardized application of the topical product. The local skin responses were measured in 10 min intervals up to one hour post-application. Outcome parameters included skin perfusion, local skin temperature, skin redness and subjective thermal sensation. Selected products comprised alcohol based ointments, menthol or wintergreen oils.
Results: All parameters demonstrated no difference between the groups at baseline. The results showed significant changes in skin perfusion, skin temperature and skin redness between baseline and follow-up measurements. Further, significant difference was found between the application and the control side (p 0.05). Subjective thermal sensations did not differ between the groups.
Conclusion(s): Topical over-the-counter products, proclaiming a warming effect, showed different changes of skin characteristics. Although, different physiological responses were observed between the groups, subjective outcomes were not affected.
Implications: The results of this study demonstrate the different physiological impact of three over-the-counter products on skin characteristics. These findings might be of interest for physiotherapists who want to induce a thermal effect during their therapy sessions.
Keywords: Topical Application, Warming Product, Skin Physiology
Funding acknowledgements: No funding was received for this project
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the change of skin characteristics after the single application of different topical warming products.
Methods: A randomized controlled double-blind study design was choosen. A total of n = 45 healthy subjects were asked to participate in the study. The application area was on the unilateral lumbar back region, whereas the contralateral side served as the control area. After an acclimatization period, the baseline measurements were performed, followed by a standardized application of the topical product. The local skin responses were measured in 10 min intervals up to one hour post-application. Outcome parameters included skin perfusion, local skin temperature, skin redness and subjective thermal sensation. Selected products comprised alcohol based ointments, menthol or wintergreen oils.
Results: All parameters demonstrated no difference between the groups at baseline. The results showed significant changes in skin perfusion, skin temperature and skin redness between baseline and follow-up measurements. Further, significant difference was found between the application and the control side (p 0.05). Subjective thermal sensations did not differ between the groups.
Conclusion(s): Topical over-the-counter products, proclaiming a warming effect, showed different changes of skin characteristics. Although, different physiological responses were observed between the groups, subjective outcomes were not affected.
Implications: The results of this study demonstrate the different physiological impact of three over-the-counter products on skin characteristics. These findings might be of interest for physiotherapists who want to induce a thermal effect during their therapy sessions.
Keywords: Topical Application, Warming Product, Skin Physiology
Funding acknowledgements: No funding was received for this project
Topic: Outcome measurement; Musculoskeletal; Research methodology & knowledge translation
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Landquart
Ethics committee: Cantonal Ethics Committee of Zurich
Ethics number: 2016-01541
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
