Effects of Wet Cupping Therapy in Patients With Asthma

NCT07764042 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: IMU-WCT-ASTHMA-20252025-10
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 52
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluated the effects of wet cupping therapy on immune modulation, pulmonary function, and quality of life in adults with asthma. A total of 52 participants aged 30 to 55 years were allocated to either a control group or a wet cupping therapy group. Participants in the wet cupping therapy group received two sessions of wet cupping therapy, at baseline and one month later. Participants in both groups underwent clinical assessments at baseline and at two months. Pulmonary function, asthma-related quality of life, asthma control, dyspnea, fatigue, anxiety, and depression were assessed in both groups. Selected inflammatory markers were assessed only in the wet cupping therapy group.

Conditions

Asthma (Diagnosis)

Keywords

Wet Cupping Therapy; Asthma; Pulmonary Function; Quality of Life; Immune Modulation; Asthma Control

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (8)

• Change in FVC From Baseline to 2 Months

  Forced vital capacity (FVC) was assessed by spirometry. Change from baseline to 2 months was evaluated.

  Baseline and 2 months

• Change in Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire Score From Baseline to 2 Months

  Asthma-related quality of life was assessed using the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). Higher scores indicate better asthma-related quality of life.

  Baseline and 2 months

• Change in COPD and Asthma Fatigue Scale Score From Baseline to 2 Months

  Fatigue was assessed using the COPD and Asthma Fatigue Scale. Higher scores indicate greater fatigue severity.

  Baseline and 2 months

• Change in FEV1 From Baseline to 2 Months

  Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was assessed by spirometry. Change from baseline to 2 months was evaluated.

  Baseline and 2 months

• Change in FEV1/FVC Ratio From Baseline to 2 Months

  The FEV1/FVC ratio was assessed by spirometry. Change from baseline to 2 months was evaluated.

  Baseline and 2 months

• Change in PEF From Baseline to 2 Months

  Peak expiratory flow (PEF) was assessed by spirometry. Change from baseline to 2 months was evaluated.

  Baseline and 2 months

• Change in Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) in the Wet Cupping Therapy Group From Baseline to 2 Months

  The Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) was calculated from peripheral blood cell counts using platelet, neutrophil, and lymphocyte values. SII was assessed only in the wet cupping therapy group. The change in SII from baseline to 2 months was evaluated as an indicator of systemic immune-inflammatory status.

  Baseline and 2 months

• Change in Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI) in the Wet Cupping Therapy Group From Baseline to 2 Months

  The Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI) was calculated from peripheral blood cell counts using monocyte, neutrophil, and lymphocyte values. SIRI was assessed only in the wet cupping therapy group. The change in SIRI from baseline to 2 months was evaluated as an indicator of systemic inflammatory status.

  Baseline and 2 months

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Asthma Control Test Score From Baseline to 2 Months

  Baseline and 2 months

• Change in Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale Score From Baseline to 2 Months

  Baseline and 2 months

• Change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Scores From Baseline to 2 Months

  Baseline and 2 months

• Change in Eosinophil Level in the Wet Cupping Therapy Group From Baseline to 2 Months

  Baseline and 2 months

Study Arms (2)

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group underwent pulmonary function testing at baseline and at two months and completed the study assessment scales at baseline and at the end of the study.

Wet Cupping Therapy Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received wet cupping therapy twice during the two-month study period, with the first session at baseline and the second session one month later. Pulmonary function testing and study assessments were performed at baseline and at two months.

Procedure: Wet Cupping Therapy

Interventions

Wet Cupping Therapy PROCEDURE

Wet cupping therapy was administered in two sessions at one-month intervals during the two-month study period. The procedure was performed at predefined anatomical points, including DU14, bilateral UB42, BL13, UB46. Negative-pressure cups were initially applied to the selected areas. After removal of the cups, superficial skin incisions were made using a sterile disposable No. 11 scalpel, followed by a second application of negative pressure for blood collection. Each session was planned to last approximately 30 minutes. The procedure was performed by a physician certified in wet cupping therapy.

Wet Cupping Therapy Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 55 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 30 to 55 years.
• Clinically diagnosed with asthma.
• Asthma diagnosis established at least 6 months before enrollment.
• No wet cupping therapy within the previous 2 months.
• No herbal supplementation affecting asthma within the previous 2 months.
• Able to cooperate with spirometry testing.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of another chronic disease.
• Hospitalization during the study period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medipol University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Medipol Mega University Hospital

Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Asthma; Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Bronchial Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Hypersensitivity; Immune System Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

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: Family Medicine Specialist

Model Details: Participants were assigned to one of two parallel groups: a control group that did not receive wet cupping therapy and an intervention group that received wet cupping therapy.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 9, 2026
• First Posted: August 13, 2026
• Study Start: May 19, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 13, 2026
• Study Completion: January 13, 2026
• Last Updated: August 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)