Investigation of Wet Cupping Therapy Effect on Cerebral Oxygenation Levels by NIRS

The importance of NIRS is that it can detect differences in tissue oxygen uptake that cannot be routinely identified by existing methods (24). The ability of near-infrared (NIR; near infrared; wavelength 650 - 1100nm) light to penetrate tissues and to be absorbed by some chromophores (such as haemoglobin, cytochrome oxidase, bilirubin, urobilin) has formed the basis of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO2) measurement (15). NIRS is a technique in which the amount of absorption of NIR light by chromophore molecules [such as oxyhaemoglobin (O2Hb) and deoxyhaemoglobin (HHb), cytochrome-c oxidase (CCO), myoglobin] is measured while passing through tissues (16). rScO2 values less than 40% or changes greater than 25% from baseline values may be a harbinger of cerebral ischaemia (17). Cerebral oximetry has attracted attention because it is easy to use and uncomplicated. NIRS should be used as a trend monitor.

In the current study, it is aimed to investigate the efficacy of wet cupping therapy (WCT) on cerebral oxygenation using the NIRS device. Following the enrollment of the healthy individuals, they will all receive one session of WCT. During the WCT application, the cerebral oxygenation levels will be measured with an NIRS device.

In the outpatient clinic setting, the NIRS device's sensor pads will be attached to the arcus superciliaris (GB14) under the tuber frontalis on both sides. After the measurement is initiated, WCT will be applied to the planum occipitale (DU 20) and the pars squamosa (GB6-8) of the temporal bone on the sides. Measurement will continue for 10 minutes during and after the WCT application. The data obtained by NIRS will be compared before, during, and after the WCT application so that we will be able to find out any possible effects of WCT on cerebral oxygenation.