| Journals Watch
2002 This section features a regularly updated list of recently published articles relevant to nurse prescribing. Abstracts of the papers are included and users are encouraged to submit their views about published papers through the feedback section. Please note: In this section of the website we aim to cover articles on areas where nurses do prescribe. However, not all the treatments or appliances mentioned are prescribable by nurses. For that reason, nurses should check the up-to-date versions of the Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary for District Nurses and Health Visitors (NPF) and the Nurse Prescribers’ Extended Formulary (NPEF) and Drug tariff if they are in any doubt. Alternatively contact your Regional Nurse Prescribing Lead for clarification.
Minor Injuries
Machen J and Whitefield M. Efficacy of a propietary ibuprofen gel in soft tissue injuries: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Int J Clin Pract 2002: 56(2): 102-106
In this study of 85 patients
with recent soft tissue injuries, a proprietary topical formulation of
ibuprofen 5% gel (IbugelTM) was found to have advantages over placebo in
treating the injuries. The patients in this study gently massaged the gel (active or placebo) into their injury until absorbed three times a day for a maximum of seven days. ‘Clinically meaningful relief’ of pain and interference with physical activity measures were pre-defined. Patients
in the active group reported achieving clinically significant reductions
in pain and interference with physical activity earlier than those in the
placebo group. By day 7, 75% of patients in the active group had a
clinically significant reduction in pain compared with 39% of those in the
placebo group. There was a strong placebo effect for pain reduction,
however, perhaps partly reflecting a failure in ‘minimal rub’ technique.
Both treatments were well tolerated.
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