Cupping Therapy for Neck Pain in Cervical Spondylosis

NCT06893185 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: 247/2024/HD-DHYD
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 82
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Neck Pain; Cervical Spondylosis

Keywords

Neck Pain; Cupping therapy; Cervical spondylosis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• The change of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  Symptom scores will be assessed based on a visual analogue scale (VAS). It usually consists of a 10 cm line anchored at each end by descriptors. Patients will be classified into 1 of 4 groups (no pain (0 cm), mild pain (1-3 cm), moderate pain (4-7 cm), severe pain (8-10 cm)).

  Assessments were conducted before intervention and after each intervention week throughout the two weeks (Week 0, Week 1, Week 2)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Proportion of intervention-related adverse events

  Assessments were conducted after each intervention week throughout the two weeks.

• Active range of motion of the cervical spine

  Assessments were conducted before intervention and after each intervention week throughout the two weeks (Week 0, Week 1, Week 2)

Study Arms (2)

Dry cupping Group

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Other: Dry cupping therapy

Electroacupuncture Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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

Other: Electroacupuncture

Interventions

Dry cupping therapy OTHER

Dry cupping therapy will perform on the skin areas containing the EX-B2, A-shi, and GB21 acupuncture points every 3 days for 2 weeks.

Dry cupping Group

Electroacupuncture OTHER

Electroacupuncture therapy will be performed five times a week for 2 weeks. The acupoints are the Huatuojiaji (EX-B2), A-shi, and Jianjing (GB21).

Electroacupuncture Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City: lead

Related Publications (8)

• Kim S, Kim E, Jung G, Lee S, Kim JG. The hemodynamic changes during cupping therapy monitored by using an optical sensor embedded cup. J Biophotonics. 2019 May;12(5):e201800286. doi: 10.1002/jbio.201800286. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

  PMID: 30604505 BACKGROUND

• Gao C, Wang M, He L, He Y, Li T. Alternations of hemodynamic parameters during Chinese cupping therapy assessed by an embedded near-infrared spectroscopy monitor. Biomed Opt Express. 2018 Dec 12;10(1):196-203. doi: 10.1364/BOE.10.000196. eCollection 2019 Jan 1.

  PMID: 30775093 BACKGROUND

• Kolenkiewicz M, Wlodarczyk A, Wojtkiewicz J. Diagnosis and Incidence of Spondylosis and Cervical Disc Disorders in the University Clinical Hospital in Olsztyn, in Years 2011-2015. Biomed Res Int. 2018 Mar 25;2018:5643839. doi: 10.1155/2018/5643839. eCollection 2018.

  PMID: 29770333 BACKGROUND

• Peng AT, Behar S, Yue SJ. Long-term therapeutic effects of electro-acupuncture for chronic neck and shoulder pain--a double blind study. Acupunct Electrother Res. 1987;12(1):37-44. doi: 10.3727/036012987816358922.

  PMID: 2883835 BACKGROUND

• Zhang SP, Chiu TT, Chiu SN. Long-term efficacy of electroacupuncture for chronic neck pain: a randomised controlled trial. Hong Kong Med J. 2013 Dec;19 Suppl 9:36-9.

  PMID: 24473589 BACKGROUND

• Chi LM, Lin LM, Chen CL, Wang SF, Lai HL, Peng TC. The Effectiveness of Cupping Therapy on Relieving Chronic Neck and Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:7358918. doi: 10.1155/2016/7358918. Epub 2016 Mar 17.

  PMID: 27073404 BACKGROUND

• Kim S, Lee SH, Kim MR, Kim EJ, Hwang DS, Lee J, Shin JS, Ha IH, Lee YJ. Is cupping therapy effective in patients with neck pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2018 Nov 5;8(11):e021070. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021070.

  PMID: 30397006 BACKGROUND

• Haldeman S, Carroll L, Cassidy JD. Findings from the bone and joint decade 2000 to 2010 task force on neck pain and its associated disorders. J Occup Environ Med. 2010 Apr;52(4):424-7. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0b013e3181d44f3b.

  PMID: 20357682 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain; Spondylosis

Interventions

Electroacupuncture

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Spinal Diseases; Bone Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Combined Modality Therapy; Therapeutics; Acupuncture Therapy; Complementary Therapies; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; Analgesia; Anesthesia and Analgesia; Anesthesia

Central Study Contacts

Phuong Ngoc Ha Dang

CONTACT

+84961964963; dangphuong1607@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 18, 2025
• First Posted: March 25, 2025
• Study Start: June 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 31, 2025
• Study Completion: August 31, 2025
• Last Updated: May 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04