Evaluation of Effectiveness of Wet Cupping versus Blood Donation on Hematological Parameters in Healthy Young Adults

Backgrounds and objectives: Therapeutic phlebotomy is the removal of blood from the body that has been practiced since ancient time for treating the illnesses. Recently, interest in wet cupping to treat various hematological disorders particularly polycythemia and high hemoglobin in public has grown. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of wet cupping versus blood donation on hematological parameters. Methods: A total of 60 healthy young adults were assigned non-randomly either in cupping (n=30) or blood donation (n=30) groups. Blood samples were collected from all subjects to measure hematological parameters before and one week after interventions. Subjects of wet cupping and blood donation were matched in age and baseline hematological parameters. Results: The findings of the study showed a significant difference in hematological parameters of wet-cupping and blood donation including Hb level (14.87 vs. 14.39), PCV (44.78 vs. 42.91), and RBC (5.27 vs. 4.94), respectively. While the values of other parameters were not different significantly; MCV (85.15 vs. 86.95), MCH (28.31 vs. 29.20), MCHC (33.24 vs. 33.57), RDW (12.53 vs. 12.40), platelet (245.77 vs. 246.27), and WBC (7.47 vs. 7.47), respectively. Conclusion: The present study suggests that both wet-cupping and blood donation are effective interventions in reducing hematological parameters.