Dry cupping therapy has no effect on pain, function, or quality of life in women with knee osteoarthritis: Randomized placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Efficacy of cupping is known to be controversial, and the heterogeneity of the studies contributes to the uncertainty about its real benefits.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of dry cupping therapy on pain, disability, functional capacity, and quality of life compared to sham cupping in women with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods

This is a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Women with KOA aged 50–75 years were randomized into two groups: an experimental group, (receiving dry cupping therapy) and a control group (receiving sham cupping). Treatments consisted of 12 sessions, for 15 min, 2 × /week, for 6 consecutive weeks. Groups were evaluated at baseline (T0), 3 weeks after randomization (T3), at post-intervention or 6 weeks after randomization (T6), and 10 weeks after randomization (follow-up: T10). The primary outcome was pain intensity at rest or during movement, and secondary outcomes were the Global Perceived Effect (GPE), 30-seconds sit-to-stand test (STS-30), disability, 40-meter Fast-paced Walk Test (40mFPWT), and 8-step stair climb test (8-step SCT).

Results

A total of 62 women with KOA were recruited. We observed a significant within-group reduction for the primary outcome (i.e., pain intensity at rest and during movement) and for some secondary outcomes, there were no differences between groups for all variables in any of the timepoints.

Conclusion

Dry cupping therapy was not superior to sham cupping in improving pain, functional capacity, and quality of life, and in GPE in women with knee osteoarthritis.

Trial registration

NCT04331158