NCT06513078

Different Types of Cupping Therapy and Ankle Range of Motion

The Effect of Different Types of Cupping Therapy on Acute Changes in Ankle Dorsiflexion

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 49 (actual)
• Sponsor: Northern Michigan University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

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.

Conditions

• Healthy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Static cupping	4 cups were placed on the gastrocnemius, negative pressure was applied and participants lay prone on a table for 10 minutes.
OTHER	Static sham cupping	4 cups were placed on the gastrocnemius, negative pressure was applied and participants lay prone on a table for 10 minutes. A pin hole in the cup allowed pressure to slowly leak out during the treatment.
OTHER	Dynamic cupping	4 cups were placed on the gastrocnemius, negative pressure was applied and participants lay prone on a table for 5 minutes, then did ankle exercises for 3 minutes, and lastly lay prone on the table for the last 3 minutes.
OTHER	Dynamic sham cupping	4 cups were placed on the gastrocnemius, negative pressure was applied and participants lay prone on a table for 5 minutes, then did ankle exercises for 3 minutes, and lastly lay prone on the table for the last 3 minutes. A pin hole in the cup allowed pressure to slowly leak out during the treatment.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-04-01
• Primary completion: 2023-03-01
• Completion: 2023-03-31
• First posted: 2024-07-22
• Last updated: 2024-07-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States