Clinical Study - Topical Camphor/glucosamine/Chondroitin Sulfate Effective For Osteoarthritis Knee Pain
Recently released clinical studies confirm that using the appropriate combination of ingredients working synergistically provided nearly instantaneous relief for those who suffer from chronic osteoarthritis pain.*
* The use of glucosamine and camphor applied topically was
studied at the Department of Complementary Medicine, RMIT
University, and the Center for Complementary Medicine,
Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.
Topical Camphor/glucosamine/Chondroitin Sulfate Effective For Osteoarthritis Knee Pain
Quoted in Part
NEW YORK, NY -- March 3, 2003 -- Results of a clinical study published in the March 2003 Journal of Rheumatology show long term benefits of topical application of a preparation containing camphor, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. The study, "A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Topical Cream Containing glucosamine Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate and Camphor for Osteoarthritis of the Knee," shows continuous reduction of pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee, with clinically significant results within four weeks. According to the study's principal investigator, the study also suggests that topical application of these agents... is an effective route of administration.
Under the auspices of the Department of Complementary Medicine, RMIT University, and the Centre for Complementary Medicine, Monash University, both in Melbourne, Australia, a single centered, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed with 63 subjects chosen from the community after assessment for eligibility. Key to the assessment criteria was a diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee based on the American College of Rheumatology definition, which includes knee pain most days during the prior month, as well as morning stiffness of the knee for 30 minutes or less. Patients were randomly assigned to use either a topical preparation containing camphor, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate, or a placebo, for eight weeks. The two treatment groups were similar with respect to demographic composition and illness history.
The active preparation was a water-soluble cream containing glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and shark cartilage of which 10 to 30 percent is chondroitin sulfate, camphor.... The placebo preparation was a simple cosmetic cream that used conventional skin emollients, petrolatum and mineral oil, and conventional emulsifiers; stearic acid and glycerol stearate, rather than the proprietary technology.
The primary outcome measure was an assessment of subjective pain using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Secondary outcome measures included measures of pain, stiffness and physical function using the Western Ontario and the McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and quality of life using the SF-36 questionnaire.
The study showed a significant difference between the two groups existed after the first day of use of creams. Nearly all of the patients... obtained immediate pain relief. Additionally, the results showed there was a greater mean sustained reduction in pain at both four weeks and eight weeks for the JointFlex group compared to the placebo group. A majority... experienced gradually and continually improving pain relief over the eight weeks. A surprising result was that with continued use, one-third of the... group had their chronic osteoarthritis pain completely or nearly completely eliminated within eight weeks or less.
According to Marc Cohen, MD, PhD, Department of Complementary Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, RMIT University, and principal investigator of this study, "The observed gradual and continual improvement in pain scores is likely to be due to the glucosamine and chondroitin content and this is consistent with previous studies."
Oral administration of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have been consistently shown in previous studies to relieve the pain and joint stiffness associated with osteoarthritis and long-term consumption of glucosamine may reduce the radiographic progression of osteoarthritis of the knee.
Says Dr. Cohen, "Our results clearly show that the proprietary system in this product effectively targets osteoarthritic knee pain and provides immediate pain relief along with long term improvement of pain with continued use." Dr. Cohen adds, "The study shows promise, regardless of mode of action, for those osteoarthritis patients who have not had success with oral glucosamine/chondroitin, or, who prefer to apply a topical preparation over taking numerous pills several times a day." The Journal of Rheumatology is available online at http://www.jrheum.com.
SOURCE: SmartScience Laboratories, Inc.
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