Abstract

background

Cryotherapy is a pain relief option commonly used in over-the-counter treatments for musculoskeletal pain management.

objectives

This study evaluated objective thermal skin response and subjective perception of cooling sensation with an OTC topical cryotherapy pain relief gel.

methods

A UK study of 50 healthy adults (aged 18–65 years) was undertaken with subjects acclimatised to a consistent baseline temperature before applying 0.5g of a commercially available pain relief gel (Biofreeze®) to their dominant forearm (test area). A baseline skin temperature gun reading was taken at the test area and over the next 11 minutes (every 30 seconds for 2 minutes, then each minute for a further 9 minutes). Thermal imaging of test and control areas was conducted throughout. After wash-out, subjects applied 1g of test gel to their opposite forearm, recorded time to perceived cooling sensation and completed a post-use questionnaire.

results

The topical pain relief gel reduced skin surface temperature from baseline temperature, with reduction detected at 30 seconds and at each time point interval, reaching a peak average 10.27% (-3.172°C) temperature drop at 4 minutes (p=0.05). The average time for subjects to record a cooling sensation after product application was 14.84 seconds, with 88% reporting cooling sensation within 30 seconds and 96% within 1 minute.

Conclusion

An OTC topical pain relief gel rapidly reduced skin temperature via objective thermal measurements and subjective perception. As skin temperature reduction can modulate pain pathways, this highlights the potential benefit of an OTC topical cryotherapy pain relief gel in analgesia management.