Justicia gendarussa Gel Film: A New Approach to Alleviating Upper Back Muscle Pain

The present research aimed to develop a gel film incorporating Justicia gendarussa Burm.f for upper back muscle pain relief. This research and development utilized a survey approach to assess the pain relief needs of the target group, which served as data for developing the Justicia gendarussa gel patch. Stability testing was conducted using the Heat Cooling cycle method for 6 cycles. A pilot study was then carried out, where participants applied the gel patch to the affected area once daily for 7 days. The study found that common issues with traditional pain relief products, such as greasiness and manual application, were mitigated by developing a non-greasy, user-friendly gel film. The formulation included PVA, PVP, triethyl citrate, HPMC, butylene glycol, water, ethanol, and 1% Justicia gendarussa extract, packaged in a durable, acid-resistant polypropylene bottle. The gel film significantly reduced upper back muscle pain, improved neck mobility, and increased pain threshold (p < 0.001). 4) User satisfaction was high, with an average rating of 4.58±0.58. Hence, the results indicate that the Justicia gendarussa gel film provides an innovative and effective approach for managing upper back muscle pain while enhancing patient comfort and satisfaction.