MicrocirculationCTWNNCT06872216
Effect of Cupping Therapy on Microcirculation in Healthy Volunteers
A study testing cupping therapy and Vascular occlusion test in people with Microcirculation, run by Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Twenty healthy volunteers were included in the study. The NIRS was placed on the thenar region of the hand. The vascular occlusion protocol had been done before and after cupping therapy (CT). Regional oxygen saturation (rSO2), the times to the lowest and highest values were recorded. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Microcirculation
- What is being tested?
- cupping therapy and Vascular occlusion test
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2022to 1 May 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 18-65 years old
- Healthy
Who cannot join
- Smoking or using tobacco products
- Taking alcohol or other substances, or any medication
- Have conditions affecting microcirculation
- Have acute or chronic pain
- Anemia
- Obesity
Show all 9Show fewer
- Reynaud's phenomenon
- Baseline blood pressure being 140-90mmHg or above
- sPO2 value being below 96%
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa üniversity
Tokat Province, 60100
About this study
Official title: Evaluation the Impact of Dry Cupping Therapy on Microvascular Reactivity by Near-infrared Spectroscopy with Vascular Occlusion Test in Healthy Volunteers
Twenty healthy volunteers were included in the study. The NIRS was placed on the thenar region of the hand. The vascular occlusion protocol had been done before and after cupping therapy (CT). Regional oxygen saturation (rSO2), the times to the lowest and highest values were recorded. The occlusion slope, the recovery slope and the first 10 second recovery slope were calculated.
Read the detailed description
Participants rested in a seated position at standard temperature for at least 10 minutes. A blood pressure cuff was applied to the upper arm, and the NIRS device (Covidien INVOS™ 5100C Cerebral/Somatic Oximeter, Dublin) was used to monitor regional oxygen levels in the thenar region of the hand throughout the protocol. After a 3-minute stabilization period, the vascular occlusion protocol commenced: the blood pressure cuff was inflated rapidly within 3-4 seconds to 50 mmHg above the baseline systolic blood pressure and maintained for 3 minutes, then deflated within 1 second. The participant rested for another 10 minutes before a certified cupping therapist placed a plastic therapy cup on the forearm, 5 cm from the medial and lateral epicondyles. The size of the cup was based on the participant's forearm, covering 50% of the area. The cup was vacuumed twice using a manual hand pump and left in place for 5 minutes before the air was released through the valve. Following a 3-minute stabilization period, the vascular occlusion protocol was repeated. During the test, rSO2 values and the time to reach the lowest and highest values were recorded. Using this data, the occlusion slope, recovery slope, and 10-second recovery slope were calculated. The occlusion slope was determined by the formula [(baseline rSO2 - minimum rSO2) / time to lowest rSO2], in %/minute. The recovery slope was calculated as [(minimum rSO2 - maximum rSO2) / time to reach the highest rSO2], in %/second. The 10-second recovery slope was calculated as [(minimum rSO2 - rSO2 at 10 seconds) / 10 seconds].
- Conditions
- Microcirculation
- Being tested
- cupping therapy, Vascular occlusion test
- Keywords
- Cupping therapy, microcirculation, near-infrared spectroscopy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
cupping therapyProcedure or surgery
After the initial vascular occlusion test and a subsequent 10-minute rest period, the plastic therapy cup was placed on the forearm, 5 cm away from the medial and lateral epicondyles by a certified cupping therapist. The size of used cup was determined according to the size of the volunteer's forearm which cover 50% of the area. The cup was vacuumed two times full pumping with a manual hand pump and remained in place for 5 minutes. And then the air was removed by releasing the cups through the release valve.
Vascular occlusion testDiagnostic test
A blood pressure cuff was placed on the upper arm. The adult probe of the NIRS device (Covidien INVOS™ 5100C Cerebral/Somatic Oximeter, Dublin) was placed on the thenar region of the ipsilateral hand and the regional oxygen value was recorded during all study term. Baseline arterial pressure and oxygen saturation were monitored (GE Healthcare Oy, Helsinki, Finland) from the side of dominant hand and recorded. After a 3-minute stabilization period, the vascular occlusion protocol was started. The blood pressure cuff was rapidly inflated within 3-4 seconds to 50 mmHg above baseline systolic blood pressure and kept at this pressure during 3 minutes. Following this, the cuff was deflated within 1 second. Five minutes after cupping therapy this protocol had done again.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| cupping therapy | Other | nırs monitored during vot test pre-post cupping therapy Receives: Procedure: cupping therapy; Diagnostic Test: Vascular occlusion test |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
the rSO2 values
monitored at tenar region on the dominant hand with near infrared spectrometry
Measured: Periprocedural
Secondary outcomes (5)
the time to reach the lowest rSO2
the interval of the basal and minimal rSO2 is measured
Measured: Periprocedural
the time to reach the highest values
the interval of the minimal to maximal rSO2 is measured
Measured: Periprocedural
the occlusion slope
The occlusion slope was calculated based on time to reach to the lowest rSO2 as [(baseline rSO2 -minimum rSO2)/ time to lowest rSO2], %/minute.
Measured: Periprocedural
Recovery slope
Recovery slope was calculated based on the time to reach the highest rSO2 value as [(minimum rSO2 - maximum rSO2)/ time to reach the highest rSO2], %/second.
Measured: Periprocedural
The 10th second recovery slope
The 10th second recovery slope was calculated as [(minimum rSO2 - at first 10th second rSO2)/ 10 second].
Measured: Periprocedural
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Mar 2025
- Study start1 Aug 2022
- Primary completion1 Jan 2023
- Study completion1 May 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for MicrocirculationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Tuğba Karaman, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06872216
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- NIRS-CUPPİNG
- Acronym
- CTWN
- Status last verified
- Feb 2025
- First submitted
- 18 Feb 2025
- Last updated
- 12 Mar 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Liu W, Piao S, Meng Xi, Wei L. Effects of cupping on blood flow under skin of back in healthy human. World Journal of Acupuncture - Moxibustion. 2013; 23 (3): 50-52. doi.org/10.1016/S1003-5257(13)60061-6.
Gomez H, Torres A, Polanco P, Kim HK, Zenker S, Puyana JC, Pinsky MR. Use of non-invasive NIRS during a vascular occlusion test to assess dynamic tissue O(2) saturation response. Intensive Care Med. 2008 Sep;34(9):1600-7. doi: 10.1007/s00134-008-1145-1. Epub 2008 Jun 4.
PubMed 18523754Karaman T, Karaman S, Balta MG. Effect of dry cupping therapy on microvascular reactivity assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy and vascular occlusion test in healthy volunteers. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2025 Sep;43:1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.04.001. Epub 2025 Apr 10.
PubMed 40483108
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Mar 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation the Impact of Dry Cupping Therapy on Microvascular Reactivity by Near-infrared Spectroscopy with Vascular Occlusion Test in Healthy Volunteers
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06872216
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CTWN / NIRS-CUPPİNG
- Conditions
- Microcirculation
- Keywords
- Cupping therapy, microcirculation, near-infrared spectroscopy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Tokat Gaziosmanpasa UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jan 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 May 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 12 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Twenty healthy volunteers were included in the study. The NIRS was placed on the thenar region of the hand. The vascular occlusion protocol had been done before and after cupping therapy (CT). Regional oxygen saturation (rSO2), the times to the lowest and highest values were recorded. The occlusion slope, the recovery slope and the first 10 second recovery slope were calculated.
Detailed description
Participants rested in a seated position at standard temperature for at least 10 minutes. A blood pressure cuff was applied to the upper arm, and the NIRS device (Covidien INVOS™ 5100C Cerebral/Somatic Oximeter, Dublin) was used to monitor regional oxygen levels in the thenar region of the hand throughout the protocol. After a 3-minute stabilization period, the vascular occlusion protocol commenced: the blood pressure cuff was inflated rapidly within 3-4 seconds to 50 mmHg above the baseline systolic blood pressure and maintained for 3 minutes, then deflated within 1 second. The participant rested for another 10 minutes before a certified cupping therapist placed a plastic therapy cup on the forearm, 5 cm from the medial and lateral epicondyles. The size of the cup was based on the participant's forearm, covering 50% of the area. The cup was vacuumed twice using a manual hand pump and left in place for 5 minutes before the air was released through the valve. Following a 3-minute stabilization period, the vascular occlusion protocol was repeated. During the test, rSO2 values and the time to reach the lowest and highest values were recorded. Using this data, the occlusion slope, recovery slope, and 10-second recovery slope were calculated. The occlusion slope was determined by the formula [(baseline rSO2 - minimum rSO2) / time to lowest rSO2], in %/minute. The recovery slope was calculated as [(minimum rSO2 - maximum rSO2) / time to reach the highest rSO2], in %/second. The 10-second recovery slope was calculated as [(minimum rSO2 - rSO2 at 10 seconds) / 10 seconds].
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| cupping therapy | Other | Procedure: cupping therapy, Diagnostic Test: Vascular occlusion testnırs monitored during vot test pre-post cupping therapy |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- 18-65 years old
- Healthy
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Smoking or using tobacco products
- Taking alcohol or other substances, or any medication
- Have conditions affecting microcirculation
- Have acute or chronic pain
- Anemia
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| cupping therapyAfter the initial vascular occlusion test and a subsequent 10-minute rest period, the plastic therapy cup was placed on the forearm, 5 cm away from the medial and lateral epicondyles by a certified cupping therapist. The size of used cup was determined according to the size of the volunteer's forearm which cover 50% of the area. The cup was vacuumed two times full pumping with a manual hand pump and remained in place for 5 minutes. And then the air was removed by releasing the cups through the release valve. | Procedure or surgery | cupping therapy |
| Vascular occlusion testA blood pressure cuff was placed on the upper arm. The adult probe of the NIRS device (Covidien INVOS™ 5100C Cerebral/Somatic Oximeter, Dublin) was placed on the thenar region of the ipsilateral hand and the regional oxygen value was recorded during all study term. Baseline arterial pressure and oxygen saturation were monitored (GE Healthcare Oy, Helsinki, Finland) from the side of dominant hand and recorded. After a 3-minute stabilization period, the vascular occlusion protocol was started. The blood pressure cuff was rapidly inflated within 3-4 seconds to 50 mmHg above baseline systolic blood pressure and kept at this pressure during 3 minutes. Following this, the cuff was deflated within 1 second. Five minutes after cupping therapy this protocol had done again. | Diagnostic test | cupping therapy |
Primary outcome
the rSO2 values
Time frame: Periprocedural
monitored at tenar region on the dominant hand with near infrared spectrometry
5 secondary outcomes
the time to reach the lowest rSO2
Time frame: Periprocedural
the time to reach the highest values
Time frame: Periprocedural
the occlusion slope
Time frame: Periprocedural
Recovery slope
Time frame: Periprocedural
The 10th second recovery slope
Time frame: Periprocedural
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 Mar 2025.
- BackgroundLiu W, Piao S, Meng Xi, Wei L. Effects of cupping on blood flow under skin of back in healthy human. World Journal of Acupuncture - Moxibustion. 2013; 23 (3): 50-52. doi.org/10.1016/S1003-5257(13)60061-6.
- Background: PubMed 18523754Gomez H, Torres A, Polanco P, Kim HK, Zenker S, Puyana JC, Pinsky MR. Use of non-invasive NIRS during a vascular occlusion test to assess dynamic tissue O(2) saturation response. Intensive Care Med. 2008 Sep;34(9):1600-7. doi: 10.1007/s00134-008-1145-1. Epub 2008 Jun 4.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 40483108Karaman T, Karaman S, Balta MG. Effect of dry cupping therapy on microvascular reactivity assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy and vascular occlusion test in healthy volunteers. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2025 Sep;43:1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.04.001. Epub 2025 Apr 10.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing cupping therapy and Vascular occlusion test in people with Microcirculation, run by Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Mar 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
the rSO2 values (time frame: Periprocedural). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06872216, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Mar 2025.