Analgesic Induces Similar Upper and Lower Body Pain Pressure Threshold Increases

Summary

Background: Both health professionals and consumers use menthol-based topical analgesics extensively for the temporary relief of pain from musculoskeletal ailments or injury. However, there are no reports of differences in the pain pressure threshold (PPT) or the relative effectiveness of topical analgesics to reduce pain in the upper and lower body muscles and tendons. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate whether differences existed in PPT and relative pain attenuation associated with a menthol based topical analgesic over a variety of upper and lower body muscles and tendons. Design: Randomized allocation, controlled, intervention study. Method: Sixteen participants (10 females and 6 males), who were tested on their dominant or non-dominant side. The order of specific muscle / tendon testing was also randomized, which included upper body (middle deltoid, biceps brachii, and lateral epicondylar tendon) and lower body locations (quadriceps, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, lumbo-sacral erector spinae muscles, and patellar and Achilles tendons). PPT was monitored before and 15-minutes following the application of a menthol based topical analgesic.

Timeline

Start

2019-05-01

Primary completion

2019-10-30

Completion

2019-12-31

Drugs

Indications