Cupping Therapy for Neck Pain in Cervical Spondylosis

University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Cervical Spondylosis; Neck Pain

Treatments: Other: Electroacupuncture; Other: Dry cupping therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06893185

247/2024/HD-DHYD

Details and patient eligibility

About

Cervical spondylosis is one of the common causes of chronic neck pain. It can significantly affect the quality of life, lead to disabilities, and increase the economic burden on patients. Treatment mainly includes pain relievers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants or physical therapy. The condition tends to recur frequently; therefore, long-term use of medication can lead to unwanted effects on the digestive system, kidneys, and cardiovascular system.

Dry cupping therapy is a non-pharmacological method that has been shown to be effective in pain management. Cupping therapy has the advantage of being applicable to patients who are afraid of needles and has a wide area of effect.

Given the limitations in evaluating treatment effectiveness and safety, along with the lack of published research discussing the analgesic effects of dry cupping for neck pain caused by cervical spondylosis, the investigators conducted the study on pain reduction and safety of cupping therapy in patients with neck pain caused by cervical spondylosis.

Full description

Patients diagnosed with cervical spondylosis who have neck pain will be registered for this study. They will be treated with electroacupuncture or cupping therapy.

The intervention period is two weeks. Electroacupuncture will be performed five times a week while cupping therapy will be performed once every 3 days.

Data on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and side effects of electroacupuncture and cupping therapy will be recorded before the study and weekly for 2 weeks.

Enrollment: 82 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals between the ages of 20 and 60 years, outpatient treatment.
• Individuals diagnosed with cervical spondylosis.
• Individuals report pain intensity between 3 and 8 according to on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) on the screening visit day.
• Experiencing neck pain for no longer than four weeks.
• Individuals who volunteered to participate in the study and signed a consent form.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients diagnosed with acute or chronic neck pain due to specific causes or with root compression syndrome, spinal cord compression syndrome, or vertebral artery syndrome.
• Patients loss of normal cervical curvature or deformity.
• Individuals with a history of neck trauma, cervical vertebra fracture, or cervical spine surgery, congenital spinal abnormalities, systemic bone and joint diseases.
• Patients have undergone cupping therapy, plastering, or drug inhalation within one week prior to participating in the study.
• Patients used of medications that could affect research outcomes within one week: Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, traditional medicines for treating neck pain.
• Patients suffer from a mental illness or lacks consciousness.
• Patients have a pacemaker, or any metal devices such as screws or plates.
• Patients currently using anticoagulant medications or has a bleeding disorder.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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82 participants in 2 patient groups

Dry cupping Group

Experimental group

Description:

Dry cupping therapy every 3 days for a total of two weeks (5 sessions)

Treatment:

Other: Dry cupping therapy

Electroacupuncture Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Electroacupuncture five times a week for a total of two weeks (10 sessions)

Treatment:

Other: Electroacupuncture