NCT06320262

Evaluation of the Effect of Wet Cupping (Hijama) on Primary Fibromyalgia

Evaluation of the Effect of Wet Cupping (Hijama) on Primary Fibromyalgia Using Brain Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Patient-reported Forms: Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Rasmia Elgohary · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Fibromyalgia has become one of the most prevalent chronic pain conditions that impair quality of life. Wet cupping has gained increasing popularity in treating painful conditions. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of wet cupping therapy combined with home-based exercise compared to home-based exercise alone in improving patients diagnosed with primary fibromyalgia syndrome.

Detailed description

Background: The fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome is characterized by widespread chronic pain accompanied by fatigue, cognitive disturbances, sleep disorders, and pronounced somatic and/or psychological distress that impair the quality of life. So far there is no definitive treatment for FM. All available guidelines agreed on the first-line role of non-pharmacological therapies over pharmacological agents. Cupping therapy (Hijama in Arabic) is an ancient medical art that has been used primarily in the treatment of several painful conditions and has regained popularity in modern medicine. Purpose: Our study aims to investigate the efficacy of wet cupping therapy in treating patients diagnosed with primary fibromyalgia. Method: the study will include 50 female patients who had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and had symptoms not exceeding two years. The eligible patients will further undergo Brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy and clinical assessment including evaluation of the following 1. Widespread pain index (WPI) and pain intensity using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), 2. Total impact of FM as measured by the validated Arabic version of the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR). 3. Evaluation of sleep disturbance using the Jenkins sleep score 4. Evaluation of fatigue using a horizontal line (VAS) anchored by "0=No fatigue " and "100=Worst imaginable fatigue 5. Evaluation of Depression and anxiety using the validated Arabic version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) 6. Cognitive function assessment using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) 7. Complete blood count Randomization: All eligible patients will receive instructions on a home-based graded exercise program, then the patients will randomly be assigned into two groups 1. Control group: will be kept on home-based exercise alone 2. Intervention group: They will receive wet cupping therapy in addition to home-based exercise. Follow-up assessments: at week 12 after initiating the therapy.

Conditions

• Treatment

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Wet cupping therapy (WCT)	Type of cupping: Triple-stage wet cupping therapy (Hijama) will be used; sucking, scarification, sucking. Cupping points will include one cup on the posterior median line, in the depression below the processus spinosus of the 7th cervical vertebra (Alkahil area); two points in the inter-scapular region 3cm lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra, two points at inferior angle of the scapula (3cm lateral to lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra, 2 points at lumbar regions, in addition to the most painful areas. After the procedure: Areas of cupping will be covered using sterile gauze. All used tools and materials will be collected in red bags to ensure proper waste disposal. Sharp objects will be disposed of in the sharps disposal box. Telephone follow-up with all patients 48 hours after cupping will be done.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-12-26
• Primary completion: 2025-10-01
• Completion: 2025-12-01
• First posted: 2024-03-20
• Last updated: 2024-12-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt