A Study to Understand the Analgesic Properties of Topically Applied Menthol When Used in a Marathon.

A Real-world Evidence Study to Understand the Analgesic Properties of Topically Applied Menthol When Used in a Marathon.

The purpose of the research study is to gather the opinions and/or perceptions relating to the use of topically applied menthol and experience of pain during and after a marathon in adult runners (18+ years) participating in the 2025 Chicago Marathon. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does topically applied menthol reduce pain levels in marathon runners during recovery?
• How quickly does pain relief occur after topically applied menthol application?
• What are the sensory attributes (e.g., cooling sensation) associated with topically applied menthol use during and after the race?
• How do demographic factors (e.g., age, sex, menstrual cycle stage, sleep quality) influence pain experience and topically applied menthol effectiveness?

Researchers will compare pre- and post-application pain scores in the Recovery Application Zone to see if Biofreeze provides measurable pain relief and sensory benefits.

Participants will:

• Provide documented informed consent prior to participation.
• Self-select to use Biofreeze products during or after the race.

• Complete one or both of the following:

  1. Recovery Application Zone Questionnaire (includes pain score before and after Biofreeze application, sensory assessments, demographics).
  2. End of Race Questionnaire (includes retrospective recall of pain relief, product use, sensory experience, and demographic data).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Muscle Soreness
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Observational

Detailed Description

This is a real-world, observational study evaluating self-selected use of topically applied menthol among runners in the 2025 Chicago Marathon.

Participants independently choose whether to use topically applied menthol products, which products to use, and how frequently to apply them as part of their usual pain-management behaviour.

The study does not assign or administer any intervention. Data are collected from participants who voluntarily used topically applied menthol and chose to complete the questionnaires.

Participants may self-select to use topically applied menthol products during the race or recovery as they normally would. Researchers do not assign or direct product use. Product application occurs independently of study participation.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 367

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Illinois
    • Deerfield, Illinois, United States, 60015
      • Curion Strategic Product Insights

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This study will recruit runners over 18 years old, participating in the 2025 Chicago Marathon, capable of providing documented informed consent, who are not employees of Sponsor or the vendor collecting data.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Participant has provided documented informed consent.
2. Participant aged 18 years and above.
3. Participant is entrant into the Chicago marathon 2025.
4. Participant has self-selected to use topically applied menthol during the race or during immediate recovery.
5. Comprehension of and able to read English.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Employee of Sponsor or Agency/ vendor collecting the data

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Chicago Marathon Runners who use topically applied menthol	Other: Observational; Pain-experience observational study conducted during a marathon.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Mean Pain Score	Pain relief was assessed by change in Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) 0-10 pre and post topical menthol application.	Day 1 - immediately at the end of the race, assessed within the Recovery Application Zone Questionnaire.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Proportion of participants reporting pain relief within 10 seconds after completed application of topically applied menthol.	Characterising the speed of analgesic effect from topically applied menthol in participants recovering from marathon. Number of subjects whose pain score based on 0-10 NRS rating reduced from pre-application to post-application, whose post-application score was within 10 seconds.	Day 1 - immediately at the end of the race, assessed within the Recovery Application Zone Questionnaire.
Percentage of participants which report pain relief reduction of 2 points or greater on NRS within 10 seconds of topically applied menthol application.	Characterising the speed of analgesic effect from topically applied menthol in participants recovering from marathon. Number of subjects whose pain score based on 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale rating reduced over 2 points from pre-application to post- application, whose post-application score was reported within 10 seconds.	Day 1 - immediately at the end of the race, assessed within the Recovery Application Zone Questionnaire.
Percentage of participants reporting a cooling sensation within 10 seconds/ immediately after application.	Percentage of participants reporting a cooling sensation within 10 seconds or immediately after application. Participants reported if they experienced a cooling sensation (YES/ NO) and for the next question, reported if that occurred within 10 seconds / immediately after application or over 10 seconds.	Day 1 - immediately at the end of the race, assessed within the Recovery Application Zone Questionnaire.
Percentage of participants experiencing cooling sensation lasting 2 hours or more after topically applied menthol use	Percentage of participants experiencing cooling sensation lasting 2 hours or more after topically applied menthol use, by product, participants who reported a cooling sensation (YES/ NO) and for the next question, participants reported duration of cooling assessed as follows: 1.Less than 10 minutes 2.10 minutes to less than 30 minutes 3.30 minutes to less than 60 minutes 4.60 minutes to less than 2 hours 5.2 hours to less than 3 hours 6.3 hours to less than 4 hours 7.4 hours or more	Retrospective recall data from the End of Race Questionnaire was completed on Day 1: Completed at least 2 hours after the end of the race, up to 23:59 on race day.
Rating of Intensity from the use of topically applied menthol when used after the marathon	Average rating for intensity from the use of topically applied menthol when used after the marathon. Intensity of cooling sensation is assessed post application of topically applied menthol, calculated using a 1-10 Rating Scale question to rate intensity of cooling sensation, where 1 is a mild cooling sensation, 10 is an extremely intense cooling sensation.	Day 1 - immediately at the end of the race, assessed within the Recovery Application Zone Questionnaire.
Rating of Intensity from the use of topically applied menthol when used during the marathon	Average rating for intensity from the use of topically applied menthol when used during the marathon. Intensity of cooling sensation is assessed post application of topically applied menthol, calculated using a 1-10 Rating Scale question on intensity of cooling sensation: scale 1-10, where 1 is a mild cooling sensation, 10 is an extremely intense cooling sensation.	Retrospective recall data from the end of race questionnaire was completed on Day 1: Completed at least 2 hours after the end of the race, up to 23:59 on race day.
Rating of Liking from the use of topically applied menthol when used after the marathon	Average rating for overall liking from the use of topically applied menthol when used after the marathon. Overall liking of cooling sensation is assessed post application of topically applied menthol, calculated using a 1-10 Rating Scale question to rate overall liking of cooling sensation, where 1 is dislike extremely and 10 is like extremely.	Day 1 - immediately at the end of the race, assessed within the Recovery Application Zone Questionnaire.
Rating of Liking from the use of topically applied menthol when used during the marathon	Average rating for overall liking from the use of topically applied menthol when used during the marathon. Overall liking of cooling sensation is assessed post application of topically applied menthol, calculated using a 1-10 Rating Scale question to rate overall liking of cooling sensation, where 1 is dislike extremely and 10 is like extremely.	Retrospective recall data from the End of Race Questionnaire was completed on Day 1: Completed at least 2 hours after the end of the race, up to 23:59 on race day.
Percentage agreement that the cooling sensation from topically applied menthol helped to reduce pain.	Based on data collected in the Recovery Application Zone Questionnaire, the number of subjects who respond, "strongly agree" and "agree" to Likert Scale statement that the cooling sensation from topically applied menthol helped to reduce pain.	Day 1 - immediately at the end of the race, assessed within the Recovery Application Zone Questionnaire.
Proportion of participants agreement regarding statements about topically applied menthol	Participants who respond, "strongly agree" or "agree" to Likert Scale statements in the End of Race Questionnaire: Biofreeze relieves pain;; The cooling sensation from Biofreeze reduces pain;; Biofreeze use during the race helped me run/ walk over the finish line by relieving my pain.	Retrospective recall data from the End of Race Questionnaire was completed on Day 1: Completed at least 2 hours after the end of the race, up to 23:59 on race day.
Percentage of participants experiencing pain relief lasting 2 hours or more after topically applied menthol	Based on retrospective recall data from the End of Race Questionnaire, participants who responded to a single-select question: 2 hours to less than 3 hours, 3 hours to less than 4 hours, 4 hours or more	Retrospective recall data from the End of Race Questionnaire was completed on Day 1: Completed at least 2 hours after the end of the race, up to 23:59 on race day.
Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) model to assess association between age and pain outcomes (severity, location), and topically applied menthol use during the marathon	To assess impact of the following aspects on pain experience (pain severity and location and topically applied menthol use) during the marathon (based on retrospective recall data from the End of Race Questionnaire): Age (self reported: ranges in years: 18-25; 26-35; 36-45; 46-55; 56-65; 66-75; 76 or older) Pain Severity: (self-rated pain before use & immediately after Biofreeze use, both via Numeric Rating Scales 0-10 where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable) Pain Location (self-reported pain regions, e.g. pelvis; groin; knee; none of these) Biofreeze Use: whether it was used (yes/no); type of Biofreeze product used (roll-on; base gel; professional gel; aerosol spray; patch); when it was used (during the race; after the race in the recovery zone; after the race)	Retrospective recall data from the End of Race Questionnaire was completed on Day 1: Completed at least 2 hours after the end of the race, up to 23:59 on race day.
Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) model to assess association between sex and pain outcomes (severity, location), and topically applied menthol use during the marathon	To assess impact of the following aspects on pain experience (pain severity and location and topically applied menthol use) during the marathon (based on retrospective recall data from the End of Race Questionnaire): Sex (self reported: male; female; non-binary; prefer not to say) Pain Severity: (self-rated pain before use & immediately after Biofreeze use, both via Numeric Rating Scales 0-10 where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable) Pain Location (self-reported pain regions, e.g. pelvis; groin; knee; none of these) Biofreeze Use: whether it was used (yes/no); type of Biofreeze product used (roll-on; base gel; professional gel; aerosol spray; patch); when it was used (during the race; after the race in the recovery zone; after the race)	Retrospective recall data from the End of Race Questionnaire was completed on Day 1: Completed at least 2 hours after the end of the race, up to 23:59 on race day.
Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) model to assess association between menstrual cycle stage, menopausal status and pain outcomes (severity, location), and topically applied menthol use during the marathon	To assess impact of the following aspects on pain experience (pain severity and location and topically applied menthol use) during the marathon (based on retrospective recall data from the End of Race Questionnaire): Menstrual cycle stage and menopausal status (self-reported status; for example Have menstrual cycle, was on my period; Post menopausal) Pain Severity: (self-rated pain before use & immediately after Biofreeze use, both via Numeric Rating Scales 0-10 where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable) Pain Location (self-reported pain regions, e.g. pelvis; groin; knee; none of these) Biofreeze Use: whether it was used (yes/no); type of Biofreeze product used (roll-on; base gel; professional gel; aerosol spray; patch); when it was used (during the race; after the race in the recovery zone; after the race)	Retrospective recall data from the End of Race Questionnaire was completed on Day 1: Completed at least 2 hours after the end of the race, up to 23:59 on race day.
Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) model to assess association between amount of sleep, quality of sleep the night before the marathon and pain outcomes (severity, location), and topically applied menthol use during the marathon	To assess impact of the following aspects on pain experience (pain severity and location and topically applied menthol use) during the marathon (based on retrospective recall data from the End of Race Questionnaire): Amount and quality of sleep the night before the marathon: (self reported: hours slept example: less than 1 hour, 2 hours to less than 3, 3 hours to less than 4, more than 8 hours; Sleep quality: very good; fairly good; fairly bad; very bad) Pain Severity: (self-rated pain before use & immediately after Biofreeze use, both via Numeric Rating Scales 0-10 where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable) Pain Location (self-reported pain regions, e.g. pelvis; groin; knee; none of these) Biofreeze Use: whether it was used (yes/no); type of Biofreeze product used (roll-on; base gel; professional gel; aerosol spray; patch); when it was used (during the race; after the race in the recovery zone; after the race)	Retrospective recall data from the End of Race Questionnaire was completed on Day 1: Completed at least 2 hours after the end of the race, up to 23:59 on race day.
Types of oral analgesic products used alongside topically applied menthol	Participants reported types of oral analgesia used alongside topically applied menthol during the marathon and recovery period through the following question (option to select): Ibuprofen /Acetaminophen /Opioid /Naproxen /Aspirin / Combination Analgesic / Other.	Retrospective recall data from the End of Race Questionnaire was completed on Day 1: Completed at least 2 hours after the end of the race, up to 23:59 on race day.
Number of participants who used analgesic products alongside topically applied menthol for pain relief during marathon	Types of oral analgesia used alongside topically applied menthol and number of participants who used each during the race and recovery period. Participants reported use of oral analgesic products alongside topically applied menthol by single-select (YES/NO) question.	Retrospective recall data from the End of Race Questionnaire was completed on Day 1: Completed at least 2 hours after the end of the race, up to 23:59 on race day.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (UK) Limited
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Neeta Yousaf, PHD, Curion Strategic Product Insights

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 12, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 12, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): October 12, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 5, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 27, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 4, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 27, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Pain; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Myalgia; Health Services Administration; Quality of Health Care; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; Watchful Waiting
• Other Study ID Numbers: 5106901

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: IPD is completely anonymised and each participant can no longer be identified.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No