Study Compares Arnica Gel to Ibuprofen Gel

A randomized, double-blind study comparing Arnica Gel to 5% Ibuprofen Gel, evaluated the Arnica Gel to be more effective by the patients and their doctors. Rheumatology International, a prestigious peer-reviewed medical journal will be reporting this study shortly.

The study of 204 individuals with multiple osteoarthritis in the fingers was performed from May 2003 until March 2004 by 20 medical doctors (12 general practitioners, six rheumatologists and two specialists in general medicine) in Switzerland. The study used detailed patient questionnaires for first visit and second/last visit, three weeks later. Each group, the arnica gel group and the ibuprofen gel group, applied the product three times daily to affected finger joints.

Arnica gel was shown to be as effective as 5% ibuprogen gel, and was equally well tolerated.The arnica gel was evaluated as more effective by the patients and their doctors.

This study was planned and performed according to strict international guidelines for studies of multiple osteoarthritis of the fingers (OARS; Osteoarthritis Research Group International), EMEA (European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products) guidelines for controlled studies and their statistical evaluation, as well as according to GCP Good Clinical Practice rules.

Bonnie - if you have not used arnica gel for arthritis, bruises, muscle soreness, try it. It is a great topical that does not come with the side effects of NSAID gels.