Different Types of Cupping Therapy and Ankle Range of Motion

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Healthy
• Interventions: Other: Static cupping; Other: Static sham cupping; Other: Dynamic cupping; Other: Dynamic sham cupping

• Registration Number: NCT06513078
• Lead Sponsor: Northern Michigan University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study was to determine the acute effects of different manual cupping therapy protocols on ankle range of motion, compared to sham treatments, in generally healthy adults with limited ankle range of motion (i.e., ankle dorsiflexion less than 40 degrees).

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study was to determine the acute effects of different manual cupping therapy protocols on ankle range of motion, compared to sham treatments, in generally healthy adults with limited ankle range of motion (i.e., ankle dorsiflexion less than 40 degrees). Participants had their baseline ankle dorsiflexion measured with a digital inclinometer in a weight-bearing modified lunge position by a certified athletic trainer. Participants who were eligible for the study were then randomly assigned to one of 4 groups; 2 of which were intervention groups (i.e., dynamic cupping, static cupping) and 2 of which were sham treatments (i.e., static sham cupping, dynamic sham cupping). Each participant was blinded to the therapy they were randomized to and all received a total of 10 minutes of the cupping therapy (either actual or sham). In general, cupping therapy consisted of creating a negative pressure in four 2" diameter plastic cups placed on the gastrocnemius. Sham cups had small holes in them allowing air to leak out. Cups were also attached with adhesive tape to all participants to ensure blinding. Depending on the treatment received, participants either were asked to lie still in the prone position or perform ankle exercises during the 10 minutes while the cups were attached. Immediately after receiving treatment, participants had their ankle dorsiflexion measured again using the same procedure described for baseline measurement.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2022-04-01
• Primary Completion: 2023-03-01
• Study Completion: 2023-03-31
• Status Verified: 2024-07
• Study First Submitted: 2024-07-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-07-16
• Study First Posted: 2024-07-22
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-07-23
• Last Update Posted: 2024-07-25

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 49

Inclusion Criteria

• Limited ankle dorsiflexion (less than 40 degrees of weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion at baselines)
• Never received cupping therapy prior to the study
• No lower extremity injuries in the past 6 months
• No contraindications associated with cupping therapy (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, pregnancy, bone fracture, or sunburn/rash)
• Generally healthy

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Exclusion Criteria

• Ankle dorsiflexion greater than or equal to 40 degrees during weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion at baseline
• Received cupping therapy in the past
• Has a lower extremity injury or has had a lower extremity injury in the past 6 months
• Self-reported a contraindication associated with cupping therapy (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, pregnancy, bone fracture, or sunburn/rash).

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Static cupping	Static cupping	Negative pressure was created inside 4 plastic cups (2" diameter) placed on the gastrocnemius by drawing out air with two full pumps via a manual suction tool and participants laid in the prone position for 10 minutes while the cups stayed attached to the skin. Cups were attached to the skin with adhesive tape.
Static sham cupping	Static sham cupping	Negative pressure was created inside 4 plastic cups (2" diameter) placed on the gastrocnemius by drawing out air with two full pumps via a manual suction tool and participants laid in the prone position for 10 minutes while the cups stayed attached to the skin. Cups were attached to the skin with adhesive tape. However, the sham cups had a small hole in them which allowed pressure to leak out.
Dynamic cupping	Dynamic cupping	Negative pressure was created inside 4 plastic cups (2" diameter) placed on the gastrocnemius by drawing out air with two full pumps via a manual suction tool and participants laid in the prone position for 5 minutes while the cups stayed attached to the skin. Participants then completed two sets of 10 full range ankle pumps with a rest period of 30 seconds between sets (approximately 2 minutes). For the remaining 3 minutes, participants remained still in the prone position with the cups remaining attached. Cups were attached to the skin with adhesive tape.
Dynamic sham cupping	Dynamic sham cupping	Negative pressure was created inside 4 plastic cups (2" diameter) placed on the gastrocnemius by drawing out air with two full pumps via a manual suction tool and participants laid in the prone position for 5 minutes while the cups stayed attached to the skin. Participants then completed two sets of 10 full range ankle pumps with a rest period of 30 seconds between sets (approximately 2 minutes). For the remaining 3 minutes, participants remained still in the prone position with the cups remaining attached. Cups were attached to the skin with adhesive tape. However, the sham cups had a small hole in them which allowed pressure to leak out.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in average ankle dorsiflexion (degrees) using a digital inclinometer	Baseline and immediately after receiving treatment.	Weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion measured by performing a modified lunge and bringing the knee forward as far as possible without allowing the heel to come off of the ground. A digital inclinometer was placed vertically over the tibial tuberosity and the measurement was reported as the average of three trials, in degrees.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Northern Michigan University; 🇺🇸 Marquette, Michigan, United States