American Journal of Health Research

| Peer-Reviewed |

Selected Topical Medications: Patterns, Knowledge and Preference in Clinical Practice among Nigerian Physiotherapists

Received: 02 September 2014    Accepted: 19 September 2014    Published: 29 September 2014
Views:       Downloads:

Share This Article

Abstract

Application of topical medication remains an essential component of clinical physiotherapy practice but previous reports have revealed poor knowledge of medications among Nigerian physiotherapists. Also, there are arrays of topical medications available but there is envelope of doubts on what determines the choice of Nigerian physiotherapists. The primary aims of this study were to investigate the pattern and preference of selected topical medications in clinical practice among physiotherapists. A structured self administered questionnaire was administered to 200 physiotherapists in purposively selected hospitals in Southwest, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and percentages were used to analyze the data. The results showed that most physiotherapists were familiar with diclofenac sodium (92.0%) and methyl salicilate (92.5%) while very few were familiar with dexamethasone, zinc oxide ,magnesium sulphate, capsaicin and naproxen (27.0%, 34.5%, 35.0%, 36.0% and 37.0%) respectively. The results also showed that 56.5% and 63.5% of physiotherapists were correct about functions of diclofenac sodium and glucosamine sulphate respectively. Only 8%, 20.5% and 2.5% physiotherapists knew the functions of magnesium sulphate as an analgesic and as a muscle relaxant; and lidocaine as an anesthetic agent. The results further revealed that 34.0% and 17.0% chose menthol and dexamethasone respectively as their least preferred topical medications and they based their choice mostly on efficacy, active ingredients in the drugs and reported efficacy by patients. Most physiotherapists (63.3%) were not correct about the dominant ions present in the selected topical medications. We concluded that physiotherapists in this study were mostly familiar with diclofenac sodium and methyl salicylate but diclofenac was the most preferred topical medication in clinical practice. There was general poor knowledge on functions and dominant ionic charges in the topical medications.

DOI 10.11648/j.ajhr.s.2014020501.15
Published in American Journal of Health Research (Volume 2, Issue 5-1, October 2014)

This article belongs to the Special Issue Supplementary Prescribing in Nigeria: A Needy Concept to Promote Clinical Physiotherapy Practice

Page(s) 22-28
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Topical Medications, Physiotherapy, Preference, Knowledge, Efficacy

References
[1] Onigbinde AT, Bamitale KDS, Olaogun MOB, Makinde OO, Adetoogun GE, Odeyemi E. (2013). Opinion and knowledge of Nigerian physiotherapists on relevance and usefulness of pharmacology education on dosage of topical medications: International journal of pharmacy and pharmacology Vol.2 (1).
[2] Zelzter Lonnie (2004). The Use of Topical Analgesics in the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain: Mechanism of Action, Clinical Efficacy, and Psychologic Correlates; available at http://www.medscape.org/neurology
[3] Heyneman CA, Lawless-Liday C, Wall GC. (2000): Oral versus topical NSAI-Ds in rheumatic diseases: a comparison. Drugs, 60:555-574.
[4] Woolf CJ, Salter MW. (2000). Neuronal plasticity: increasing the gain in pain. Science. 288(5472):1765-1769.
[5] Mannion RJ, Woolf CJ. (2000). Pain mechanisms and management: a central perspective. Clin J Pain. 16(3):S144-S156.
[6] Stanos Steven DO, (2009). In Overview of topical analgesics; Pain Medicine News Special Topical pain relievers, 2010).
[7] Topical pain relievers (2010). What Over-the-Counter Analgesics Are. CHPA Educational Foundation. http://otcsafety.org/en/treatments/topical-pain-relievers/. Accessed on 17th june 2014.
[8] Kumar S and Grimmer K (2005). Non-Steroidal Anti inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), and Physiotherapy Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions: a professional minefield? Centre for Allied Health Evidence, Australia. J. Clin. Risk Manag. 1 (1): 69–76.
[9] Finlay AY, Edwards PH, Harding KG (1989). Finger tip unit in dermatology. Lancet, II: 155.
[10] Long CC, Finlay AY (1991). The fingertip unit: a new practical measure. Clin. Exper.Dermatol. 16: 444-446.
[11] Dworkin (2007). Cited by Jana Sawynok in Topical analgesics; CPS pain Education Day (2010). pain 132:237.
[12] Moore RA, Tramer MR, Carroll D, Wiffen PJ and McQuay HJ (1998). Quantitative systematic review of topically applied non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. British MedicalJournal 316:333-338.
[13] Mathers Nigel, Nick Fox,Amanda Hunn (2009) Surveys and Questionnaires. The NIHR Research Design Service for Yorkshire & the Humber. www.rds-eastmidlands.nihr.ac.uk
[14] Onigbinde AT, Olaogun MOB, Irogue K (2012). An evaluation of the knowledge level of Nigerian Physiotherapists on topical pharmacotherapy Hong Kong PhysiotherapyJournal.Vol. 1 Pgs 1-7
[15] García de Yébenes Prous M. Jesús, a,* Francisco Rodríguez Salvanés, b and Loreto Carmona Ortells (2009). Validation of questionnaires. Reumatol Clin. 2009;5 (4):171-177.
[16] Hardy, Paul AJ. (1997): Chronic pain management: the essentials. U.K.: Greenwich MedicalMedia.
[17] Main, Chris J; Spanswick, Chris C. (2000). Pain management: an interdisciplinary approach. Churchill Livingstone.
[18] Thienhaus Ole, Cole B. Eliot (2002). "The classification of pain". In Weiner, Richard S,. Pain management: A practical guide for clinicians. CRC Press. p. 29
[19] Rajapopal MR. (2006): Pain-basic considerations: Indian J. Anaesth. 50(5): 331-334.
[20] National Health Research (2014). Treatment for knee pain. Knee pain Spotlightweb.pdf. Accessed march 12, 2014.
[21] Galer BS (2001). Topical medications. In: Loeser JD, ed, Bonica’s Management of pain. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Williams & Wilkins; 1736-1741.
[22] McCleane G (2007). Topical analgesics. Anesthesiol Clin. 25:825-839
[23] Onigbinde Ayodele Teslim, M’Kumbuzi Vyvienne, Olaogun Mathew Olatokunbo, Afolabi Joshua Oluwafisayo etal (2014). Side effects of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: The experience of patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Submitted for publication in America journ of Health Research.
[24] Tramer MR (2004). "It's not just about rubbing--topical capsaicin and topical salicylates may be useful as adjuvants to conventional pain treatment". BMJ328 (7446): 998.
[25] Topical capsaicin for pain relief, 2007 Bandolier. www.medicine.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/. Accessed on 4th June 2014,
[26] McQuay HJ, Moore RA (1998). Topical capsaicin. An evidenced –based resource for pain relief.Oxford. Oxford university press, in Topical capsaicin for pain relief, 2007 Bandolier. www.medicine.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/. Accessed on 4th June 2014.
[27] Ogata K, Masaki T, Kunimoto M, Inoue K (1996). Therapeutic trials with topical capsaicin cream and iontophoretically applied lidocaine for diabetic painful tuncal neuropathy, Rinsho Shinkeigaku (1): 30 – 33.
[28] Onigbinde AT, Talabi AE, Ogunsakin EA, Adesoye AA, Awotipe A Mbada CE, Obiyemi OO, Oyerinde O (2010). Acute effect of lidocaine iontophoresis on pain and joint motions during application of mobilization techniques– A Technical Report. Ghana Journal ofPhysiotherapy Vol 2 No 1, 23 – 29.
[29] Başkurt F, Ozcan A, Algun C (2003). Comparison of effects of phonophoresis and iontophoresis of naproxen in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. Clin Rehabil. Feb;17(1):96-100.
[30] Ganvir Shyam D (2012). Efficacy of phonophoresis and iontophoresis of naproxen in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Scientific Innovation, JPSI 1 (4), July, 65 – 66.
[31] Browning JD, Reeves PG, O’Dell BL (1987). Zinc deficiency in rat reduces the vasodilation response to bradykinin and prostacclin. Journal of nutrition, 117, (3): 490 – 5.
[32] Marovino Tiziano and Graves Claire (2008). Iontophoresis in pain management. Practical pain management.www.practicalpainmanagent .com/Treatment/ interventional/ ionto -phoresis -painmanagement. 8: (2).Accessed on 4th June 2014
[33] Haeseler D, Maue J, Grosskreutz J, Bufler B, Nentwig S, Piepenbrock R, Dengler and M. Leuwer. (2002). "Voltage-dependent block of neuronal and skeletal muscle sodium channels by thymol and menthol". European Journal of Anaesthesiology 19 (8): 571–579.
[34] Galeottia N, Mannellia LDC, Mazzantib G, Bartolinia A, Ghelardini C (2002). "Menthol: a natural analgesic compound".Neuroscience Letters 322 (3): 145–148.
[35] Kumar S, Grimmer K (2005). Non-Steroidal AntiInflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), and Physiotherapy Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions: a professional minefield? Centre for Allied Health Evidence, Australia. J. Clin. Risk Manag. 1 (1): 69–76.
[36] The Glucosamine osteoarthrirtis resource centre (2005). Glucosamine and osteoarthritis,http://www.glucosamine-osteoarthritis.org/glucosamine/Gluosamine .html; [Accessed 13.03.13].
[37] Braham R, Dawson B, Goodman C. (2003). The effect of glucosamine supplementation on people experiencing regular knee pain. Br J Sports Med;37:45-9.
Author Information
  • Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

  • Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

  • Department of Physiotherapy, Malawi Against Physical disabilities, P. O. Box 256, Blantyre, Malawi

  • Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi

Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Onigbinde Ayodele Teslim, Olatipe Christianah Folake, Tarimo Nesto, Mukoka Grace. (2014). Selected Topical Medications: Patterns, Knowledge and Preference in Clinical Practice among Nigerian Physiotherapists. American Journal of Health Research, 2(5-1), 22-28. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.s.2014020501.15

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Onigbinde Ayodele Teslim; Olatipe Christianah Folake; Tarimo Nesto; Mukoka Grace. Selected Topical Medications: Patterns, Knowledge and Preference in Clinical Practice among Nigerian Physiotherapists. Am. J. Health Res. 2014, 2(5-1), 22-28. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.s.2014020501.15

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Onigbinde Ayodele Teslim, Olatipe Christianah Folake, Tarimo Nesto, Mukoka Grace. Selected Topical Medications: Patterns, Knowledge and Preference in Clinical Practice among Nigerian Physiotherapists. Am J Health Res. 2014;2(5-1):22-28. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.s.2014020501.15

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajhr.s.2014020501.15,
      author = {Onigbinde Ayodele Teslim and Olatipe Christianah Folake and Tarimo Nesto and Mukoka Grace},
      title = {Selected Topical Medications: Patterns, Knowledge and Preference in Clinical Practice among Nigerian Physiotherapists},
      journal = {American Journal of Health Research},
      volume = {2},
      number = {5-1},
      pages = {22-28},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajhr.s.2014020501.15},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.s.2014020501.15},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajhr.s.2014020501.15},
      abstract = {Application of topical medication remains an essential component of clinical physiotherapy practice but previous reports have revealed poor knowledge of medications among Nigerian physiotherapists. Also, there are arrays of topical medications available but there is envelope of doubts on what determines the choice of Nigerian physiotherapists. The primary aims of this study were to investigate the pattern and preference of selected topical medications in clinical practice among physiotherapists. A structured self administered questionnaire was administered to 200 physiotherapists in purposively selected hospitals in Southwest, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and percentages were used to analyze the data. The results showed that most physiotherapists were familiar with diclofenac sodium (92.0%) and methyl salicilate (92.5%) while very few were familiar with dexamethasone, zinc oxide ,magnesium sulphate, capsaicin and naproxen  (27.0%, 34.5%, 35.0%, 36.0% and 37.0%) respectively. The results also showed that 56.5% and 63.5% of physiotherapists were correct about functions of diclofenac sodium and glucosamine sulphate respectively. Only 8%, 20.5% and 2.5% physiotherapists knew the functions of magnesium sulphate as an analgesic and as a muscle relaxant; and lidocaine as an anesthetic agent. The results further revealed that 34.0% and 17.0% chose menthol and dexamethasone respectively as their least preferred topical medications and they based their choice mostly on efficacy, active ingredients in the drugs and reported efficacy by patients. Most physiotherapists (63.3%) were not correct about the dominant ions present in the selected topical medications. We concluded that physiotherapists in this study were mostly familiar with diclofenac sodium and methyl salicylate but diclofenac was the most preferred topical medication in clinical practice. There was general poor knowledge on functions and dominant ionic charges in the topical medications.},
     year = {2014}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Selected Topical Medications: Patterns, Knowledge and Preference in Clinical Practice among Nigerian Physiotherapists
    AU  - Onigbinde Ayodele Teslim
    AU  - Olatipe Christianah Folake
    AU  - Tarimo Nesto
    AU  - Mukoka Grace
    Y1  - 2014/09/29
    PY  - 2014
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.s.2014020501.15
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajhr.s.2014020501.15
    T2  - American Journal of Health Research
    JF  - American Journal of Health Research
    JO  - American Journal of Health Research
    SP  - 22
    EP  - 28
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8796
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.s.2014020501.15
    AB  - Application of topical medication remains an essential component of clinical physiotherapy practice but previous reports have revealed poor knowledge of medications among Nigerian physiotherapists. Also, there are arrays of topical medications available but there is envelope of doubts on what determines the choice of Nigerian physiotherapists. The primary aims of this study were to investigate the pattern and preference of selected topical medications in clinical practice among physiotherapists. A structured self administered questionnaire was administered to 200 physiotherapists in purposively selected hospitals in Southwest, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and percentages were used to analyze the data. The results showed that most physiotherapists were familiar with diclofenac sodium (92.0%) and methyl salicilate (92.5%) while very few were familiar with dexamethasone, zinc oxide ,magnesium sulphate, capsaicin and naproxen  (27.0%, 34.5%, 35.0%, 36.0% and 37.0%) respectively. The results also showed that 56.5% and 63.5% of physiotherapists were correct about functions of diclofenac sodium and glucosamine sulphate respectively. Only 8%, 20.5% and 2.5% physiotherapists knew the functions of magnesium sulphate as an analgesic and as a muscle relaxant; and lidocaine as an anesthetic agent. The results further revealed that 34.0% and 17.0% chose menthol and dexamethasone respectively as their least preferred topical medications and they based their choice mostly on efficacy, active ingredients in the drugs and reported efficacy by patients. Most physiotherapists (63.3%) were not correct about the dominant ions present in the selected topical medications. We concluded that physiotherapists in this study were mostly familiar with diclofenac sodium and methyl salicylate but diclofenac was the most preferred topical medication in clinical practice. There was general poor knowledge on functions and dominant ionic charges in the topical medications.
    VL  - 2
    IS  - 5-1
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

  • Sections