Vacuum Cupping for Chronic Neck and Back Pain
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
Small clinical pilot studies have shown that vacuum massage-related techniques such as traditional dry cupping can reduce musculoskeletal pain such as back and neck pain. At the same time, little is yet known about the potential mechanisms of action of these therapies. A vacuum pump induces a massaging effect of the skin including the deeper tissue layers. The resulting massage technique corresponds to a kind of tissue manipulation similar to dry cupping. In this procedure, suction force and air flow can be individually adjusted. This is an advantage that can be used for patients with varying degrees of sensitivity or who are preloaded by patients with varying degrees of sensitivity or a history of pain. The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of action of the therapeutic effects of the vacuum cupping in chronic neck or back pain using the biomarker QST.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
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N/A |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Vacuum cupping
|
Device: AERO vacuum cupping device
The treatment consists of 5 sessions (approx. 30 min) of vacuum massage. The vacuum pump provided by the device provides a type of vacuum massage, that can be adjusted according to applied suction and air flow. The resulting massage technique provides a type of soft tissue manipulation similar to the ancient traditional medicine technique of cupping. Nonetheless, this automated technique allows for more precise determination of the massage characteristics.
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Pain intensity (Numeric rating scale (NRS)) [measured at baseline (week 1) and weekly during treatment (week 2 to 5) and 1 month after last treatment]
NRS is a 11-point pain scale for self-reporting of pain ("0" meaning "no pain" and "10" meaning "worst pain")
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Quantitative sensory testing (QST) [measured at baseline (week 1) and weekly during treatment (week 2 to 5) and 1 month after last treatment]
QST is a diagnostic tool which allows measurement of pain sensitivity.
- Neck Disability Index (NDI) [measured at baseline (week 1), at the end of treatment (week 5) and after 1 month after last treatmentekly during treatment (week 2 to 5) and 1 month after last treatment]
NDI is used to measure neck pain and to quantify disability for neck pain.
- Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) [measured at baseline (week 1), at the end of treatment (week 5) and after 1 month after last treatment]
ODI is used to measure low back pain and to quantify disability for low back pain.
- Pain diary [filled in from baseline (week 1) until last treatment (week 5)]
A pain diary helps to track pain in the course of the study.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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chronic neck or back pain
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mean pain intensity ≥ 40 mm VAS
Exclusion Criteria:
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neurological symptoms or neuropathic pain
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vertebral column surgery less than 12 months prior to the study
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TENS, acupuncture, osteopathy, or a chiropractic maneuvre or infiltration at the area within 4 weeks prior to the inclusion in the study
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congenital deformation of the spine
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jena University Hospital | Jena | Germany | 07747 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Jena University Hospital
- University of Jena
- Helheten Norway
- National Research Centre of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Norway
Investigators
None specified.Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- VC2022-1.0