Randomized Controlled Trial of Pulsating Cupping (Pneumatic Pulsation Therapy) for Chronic Neck Pain

Abstract

Background: Pneumatic pulsation therapy may combine the effects of cupping therapy and massage. This study investigated the effect of pneumatic pulsation therapy on chronic neck pain compared to standard medical care. Methods: 50 patients (79.15% female; 46.17 ± 12.21 years) with chronic nonspecific neck pain were randomized to treatment group (TG; n = 25) or control group (CG; n = 25). The TG received 5 pneumatic pulsation treatments over a period of 2 weeks utilizing a mechanical device. Treatment was applied as a combination of moving and stationary pulsating cupping. Main outcome measure was pain intensity in pain diaries (numerical rating scale). Secondary outcome measures included functional disability (NDI), quality of life (SF-36), and pain at motion. Sensory thresholds, including pressure pain threshold, were measured at pain-related sites. Results: After the intervention, significant group differences occurred regarding pain intensity (baseline: 4.12 ± 1.45 in TG and 4.20 ± 1.57 in CG; post-intervention: 2.72 ± 1.62 in TG and 4.44 ± 1.96 in CG; analysis of covariance: p = 0.001), NDI (baseline: 25.92 ± 8.23 and 29.83; post-intervention: 20.44 ± 10.17 and 28.83; p = 0.025), and physical quality of life (baseline: 43.85 ± 7.65 and 41.66 ± 7.09; post-intervention: 47.60 ± 7.93 and 40.49 ± 8.03; p = 0.002). Further significant group differences were found for pain at motion (p = 0.004) and pressure pain threshold (p = 0.002). No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Pneumatic pulsation therapy appears to be a safe and effective method to relieve pain and to improve function and quality of life in patients with chronic neck pain.

Pulsatile dry cupping in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee – a randomized controlled exploratory trial

“…A trial at the University of Essen studied the effect of dry traditional as well as pulsatile dry cupping in chronic neck pain. Statistically significant and clinically relevant effects of cupping compared to waiting-list control were found after 5 sessions of dry cupping with both methods [10,11], but also an effect of traditional cupping on pain and quality of life already after one cupping session has been observed in this trial [12]. …”

“…However, recent clinical studies have reported positive results of cupping in patients with musculoskeletal diseases e.g. lower back pain [6], carpal tunnel syndrome [7], brachialgia paresthetica nocturna [8], cancer pain [9] and chronic neck pain [10-12]. In China Cupping is widely used and two systematic reviews were recently published about the results [13,14].…”

The Effect of Cupping Therapy on Non-specific Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…A total of 27 studies were excluded, as they did not have sufficient data for inclusion. Of these, 10 randomized trials were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis (23,(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34). The search strategy and method of study selection is defined in Figure 1.…”

“…All studies adopted a two-armed parallel group design. Changes of VAS as the primary outcome of study were reported in 5 trials (26,(28)(29)(30)32). Six trials calculated the change in the Neck disability index (NDI) (23,26,28,(30)(31)(32).…”

“…Changes of VAS as the primary outcome of study were reported in 5 trials (26,(28)(29)(30)32). Six trials calculated the change in the Neck disability index (NDI) (23,26,28,(30)(31)(32). Five trials used the SF36 questionnaire to assess quality of life (26,28,(30)(31)(32).…”