The Effects of Stretching Versus Static and Dynamic Cupping on Lumbar Range of Motion

University of South Carolina

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stiffness; Spine

Treatments: Other: Dynamic Cupping; Other: Static Cupping; Other: Stretching

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04230850

Pro00092733

Details and patient eligibility

About

The objective of this study is to fill gaps in the literature regarding the effectiveness of cupping therapy on lumbar stiffness. Participants will be recruited from the University of South Carolina and from local clinics in Columbia, South Carolina. Individuals will be classified based on lumbar range of motion limitations, and then they will be equally dispersed into three treatment groups via stratified randomization. These groups include dynamic cupping, static cupping, or stretching. All participants will be assessed prior to selected treatment to obtain baseline values for four measures: back range of motion (BROM), pain pressure threshold (PPT), active straight leg raise (ASLR), and numeric pain rating scale (NPRS). Participants will be given each measure directly after treatment, followed by a follow-up measurement 24 hours after treatment.

Full description

Cupping therapy has become recently popular in Western culture due to affordability, lack of invasiveness, and low risk of adverse effects. However, there is insufficient evidence of the effectiveness on this treatment technique on decreasing pain and increasing range of motion. This project aims to help fill the gaps by using a larger sample size and clear methodology.

The aims of the study include to determine if both static and dynamic cupping therapy have a greater effect on BROM, PPT, ASLR, and NRPS as compared to stretching, and if any changes made are maintained to a different degree over a 24 hour period based on treatment. Additional aims of the study include to determine if there is a difference between type of cupping (static vs dynamic) on these four measures. By performing this study, scientific knowledge of cupping therapy will be improved and expanded, thus impacting how it is used in clinical practice.

Enrollment: 45 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years or older, 50 degrees or less of lumbar flexion

Exclusion criteria

• Cancer, organ failure, collagen disorders, deep vein thrombosis, pacemakers, bleeding disorders, recent fever

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

---

45 participants in 3 patient groups

Mildly Impaired Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

This group will consist of participants with 35-50 degrees of lumbar flexion.

Treatment:

Other: Static Cupping

Other: Dynamic Cupping

Other: Stretching

Moderately Impaired Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

This group will consist of participants with 20-34 degrees of lumbar flexion.

Treatment:

Other: Static Cupping

Other: Dynamic Cupping

Other: Stretching

Highly Impaired Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

This group will consist of participants with less than 20 degrees of lumbar flexion.

Treatment:

Other: Static Cupping

Other: Dynamic Cupping

Other: Stretching