Effect of dry cupping therapy on microvascular reactivity assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy and vascular occlusion test in healthy volunteers

IF 1.2 Q3 REHABILITATION

JOURNAL OF BODYWORK AND MOVEMENT THERAPIES Pub Date : 2025-04-10 DOI:10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.04.001

Tuğba Karaman, Serkan Karaman, Mehtap Gürler Balta

{"title":"Effect of dry cupping therapy on microvascular reactivity assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy and vascular occlusion test in healthy volunteers","authors":"Tuğba Karaman, Serkan Karaman, Mehtap Gürler Balta","doi":"10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.04.001","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The microcirculation of muscles can impact both athletic performance and outcomes of rehabilitation programs. Dry cupping therapy has gained popularity among athletes for its benefits in alleviating musculoskeletal impairments, pain, and skin diseases. It is believed that it increases the blood volume and enhances lymphatic uptake. However, there is lack of evidence. This study evaluates the tissue oxygen saturation with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during vascular occlusion test to reflect the effects of dry cupping on blood flow and microcirculatory reactivity which may influence musculoskeletal health.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twenty healthy volunteers were included in the study. NIRS was used to assess the regional oxygen saturation (rSO<sub>2</sub>). Vascular occlusion protocol had been done before and after cupping therapy (CT). During the test rSO<sub>2</sub>, time to the lowest and highest values were recorded. Occlusion slope, recovery slope and first 10 s recovery slope were calculated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Maximum rSO<sub>2</sub> was statistically different at two different time points (p = 0.029). The time to reach the lowest rSO<sub>2</sub> value was extended, and the slope of occlusion was statistically decreased by CT (p = 0.01, p = 0.026). The Recovery slope of first 10 s was statistically different.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>CT has advantageous effects on oxygen extraction, metabolic health, and microvascular system reactivity even at more distant locations from the cupping. These findings suggest that CT may provide significant benefits to athletic performance. However, given the complexity of the underlying mechanism, further studies are needed to confirm these effects under various clinical conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51431,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF BODYWORK AND MOVEMENT THERAPIES","volume":"43 ","pages":"Pages 1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"JOURNAL OF BODYWORK AND MOVEMENT THERAPIES","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1360859225001056","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"REHABILITATION","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

The microcirculation of muscles can impact both athletic performance and outcomes of rehabilitation programs. Dry cupping therapy has gained popularity among athletes for its benefits in alleviating musculoskeletal impairments, pain, and skin diseases. It is believed that it increases the blood volume and enhances lymphatic uptake. However, there is lack of evidence. This study evaluates the tissue oxygen saturation with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during vascular occlusion test to reflect the effects of dry cupping on blood flow and microcirculatory reactivity which may influence musculoskeletal health.

Methods

Twenty healthy volunteers were included in the study. NIRS was used to assess the regional oxygen saturation (rSO₂). Vascular occlusion protocol had been done before and after cupping therapy (CT). During the test rSO₂, time to the lowest and highest values were recorded. Occlusion slope, recovery slope and first 10 s recovery slope were calculated.

Results

Maximum rSO₂ was statistically different at two different time points (p = 0.029). The time to reach the lowest rSO₂ value was extended, and the slope of occlusion was statistically decreased by CT (p = 0.01, p = 0.026). The Recovery slope of first 10 s was statistically different.

Conclusion

CT has advantageous effects on oxygen extraction, metabolic health, and microvascular system reactivity even at more distant locations from the cupping. These findings suggest that CT may provide significant benefits to athletic performance. However, given the complexity of the underlying mechanism, further studies are needed to confirm these effects under various clinical conditions.

查看原文本刊更多论文

用近红外光谱和血管闭塞试验评价干拔罐对健康志愿者微血管反应性的影响

背景：肌肉的微循环可以影响运动表现和康复计划的结果。干拔罐疗法因其减轻肌肉骨骼损伤、疼痛和皮肤疾病的益处而在运动员中受到欢迎。据信它能增加血容量，增强淋巴吸收。然而，缺乏证据。本研究利用近红外光谱（NIRS）评估血管闭塞试验中组织氧饱和度，以反映干拔罐对血流和微循环反应性的影响，这些影响可能影响肌肉骨骼健康。方法选取20名健康志愿者。近红外光谱法测定区域氧饱和度（rSO2）。在拔火罐治疗前后进行血管闭塞治疗（CT）。在测试rSO2期间，记录到最低和最高值的时间。计算遮挡坡度、恢复坡度和前10 s恢复坡度。结果两个时间点最大rSO2差异有统计学意义（p = 0.029）。达到最低rSO2值的时间延长，CT显示咬合斜率有统计学降低（p = 0.01, p = 0.026）。前10 s的恢复斜率有统计学差异。结论ct在离拔火罐较远的部位对氧气提取、代谢健康和微血管系统反应性均有良好的影响。这些发现表明，CT可能对运动表现有显著的好处。然而，鉴于潜在机制的复杂性，需要进一步的研究来证实这些作用在不同的临床条件下。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

JOURNAL OF BODYWORK AND MOVEMENT THERAPIES REHABILITATION-

CiteScore

2.80

自引率

0.00%

发文量

133

审稿时长

321 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies brings you the latest therapeutic techniques and current professional debate. Publishing highly illustrated articles on a wide range of subjects this journal is immediately relevant to everyday clinical practice in private, community and primary health care settings. Techiques featured include: • Physical Therapy • Osteopathy • Chiropractic • Massage Therapy • Structural Integration • Feldenkrais • Yoga Therapy • Dance • Physiotherapy • Pilates • Alexander Technique • Shiatsu and Tuina