Super patches are skin patches with a specific relief whose creator, a Canadian computer engineer, praises their benefits for health and in particular for pain relief.
Super patches, inspired by vibrotactile technology, have flooded the media. These products are sold to improve health and, in particular, reduce pain.
But do these patches really have an effect and is there any evidence to support this?
In this episode of La facture de Radio-Canada, two pain experts express their scepticism about this product: Christian Bocti, neurologist and professor and researcher at the Université de Sherbrooke, and Guillaume Léonard, physiotherapist and professor and researcher at the Université de Sherbrooke’s School of Rehabilitation.
What can we learn from these interviews?
- The scientific studies put forward to prove the effectiveness of patches do not directly concern their effects.
- The scientific studies put forward are published in predatory journals, i.e. journals which claim to be scientific but which in reality do not require any quality or scientific rigour and do not require the articles to be reviewed or assessed by independent scientists.
- Scientific studies have methodological shortcomings that make it impossible to validate the results.
While some people may report positive effects from these patches, the possible impact of the placebo effect should not be ignored. However, it should be borne in mind that the superpatch website states that “the effectiveness of the products has not been confirmed by the Food and Drugs Administration” and that the product “is not intended to treat or cure any disease“. In addition, this product is not approved by Health Canada, which advises against its use.
If you have any doubts about using a product, always consult a healthcare professional such as your doctor or pharmacist. You can also find advice on self-managing your pain on the My pain management website.
