Chronic Low-back Pain (cLBP)NCT07702617
Effects Of Vacuum Controlled Static Versus Vacuum Controlled Dynamic Dry Cupping On Pain, Range Of Motion And Disability Among Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain
A study of Chronic Low-back Pain (cLBP), run by Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to compare the effects of vacuum-controlled static dry cupping and vacuum-controlled dynamic dry cupping on pain intensity, lumbar range of motion, and functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 30 to 40 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Low-back Pain (cLBP)
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 48 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Jul 2026to 30 Nov 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 30 to 40 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 30 to 40 years. (21)
- Both male and female genders (15)
- Patients experiencing LBP with a score of at least 3/10 on the NPRS (22)
- For more than three months (22).
- Individuals whose workstations have not been ergonomically designed and who have not previously received structured ergonomic interventions related to workplace layout, task design, or load modification also involving home tasks and daily activities. (31)
Who cannot join
- * Subjects with lower body condition (i.e., spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, or intervertebral disk derangement) (15)
- Subjects with a history of cancer (15)
- Subjects experiencing referred leg symptoms (15)
- Subjects with any current local or systemic infections, vascular disease, including varicose veins (17)
- History of spine surgery or spinal tumor (17).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Pakistan1 site
Sehat Medical Complex
Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000
Zain Abbas, MSPT, 03348082223, zain.abbas@uipt.uol.edu.pk
Arooba Hassan, MSPT
About this study
This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to compare the effects of vacuum-controlled static dry cupping and vacuum-controlled dynamic dry cupping on pain intensity, lumbar range of motion, and functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups receiving either static or dynamic dry cupping along with conventional treatment. The outcomes will be assessed to determine which cupping technique is more effective in improving pain, mobility, and functional ability in individuals with chronic low back pain.
[Time Frame: Measured at baseline (pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks (post-intervention completion).
- Conditions
- Chronic Low-back Pain (cLBP)
- Being tested
- Vacuum-Controlled Static Dry Cupping, Vacuum-Controlled Dynamic Dry Cupping
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Vacuum-Controlled Static Dry CuppingOther
Vacuum-controlled static dry cupping will be applied to the lumbar region of patients with chronic low back pain. Cups will be placed on the affected area and kept stationary for approximately 10 minutes to create negative pressure, aiming to improve blood circulation, reduce pain, and relieve muscle tension.
Vacuum-Controlled Dynamic Dry CuppingOther
Vacuum-controlled dynamic dry cupping will be applied to the lumbar region. After creating negative pressure, the cups will be gently moved over the skin to mobilize soft tissues, enhance circulation, reduce pain, and improve lumbar mobility in patients with chronic low back pain.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Static Dry Cupping | Experimental | Participants in this group will receive vacuum-controlled static dry cupping applied to the lumbar region. The cups will be placed on specific points over the lower back and kept stationary for approximately 10 minutes per session along with conventional physiotherapy management for chronic low back pain. Receives: Other: Vacuum-Controlled Static Dry Cupping |
| Dynamic Dry Cupping | Active comparator | Participants in this group will receive vacuum-controlled dynamic dry cupping applied to the lumbar region. After creating negative pressure, the cups will be gently moved over the lower back to mobilize soft tissues along with conventional physiotherapy management for chronic low back pain. Receives: Other: Vacuum-Controlled Dynamic Dry Cupping |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity
Pain intensity in patients with chronic low back pain will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). The NPRS is an 11-point scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 represents the worst imaginable pain. It will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of vacuum-controlled static and dynamic dry cupping in reducing pain levels.
Measured: Baseline (before treatment) and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Lumbar Range of Motion
Lumbar range of motion will be measured to assess improvement in spinal mobility in patients with chronic low back pain. Lumbar movements including flexion, extension, and lateral flexion will be evaluated using a goniometer or inclinometer.
Measured: Baseline (before treatment) and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Functional Disability
Functional disability related to chronic low back pain will be assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), a validated questionnaire that measures the impact of back pain on daily activities such as walking, sitting, standing, and personal care.
Measured: Baseline (before treatment) and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Jul 2026
- Study start1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Chronic Low-back Pain (cLBP)Studies 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Shoaib Waqas, Study chair, Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07702617
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UBAS/ERB/26/04/019
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 22 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects Of Vacuum Controlled Static Versus Vacuum Controlled Dynamic Dry Cupping On Pain, Range Of Motion And Disability Among Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07702617
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UBAS/ERB/26/04/019
- Conditions
- Chronic Low-back Pain (cLBP)
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Lahore University of Biological and Applied SciencesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 14 Jul 2026 (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.
This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to compare the effects of vacuum-controlled static dry cupping and vacuum-controlled dynamic dry cupping on pain intensity, lumbar range of motion, and functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups receiving either static or dynamic dry cupping along with conventional treatment. The outcomes will be assessed to determine which cupping technique is more effective in improving pain, mobility, and functional ability in individuals with chronic low back pain.
[Time Frame: Measured at baseline (pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks (post-intervention completion).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Static Dry Cupping | Experimental | Other: Vacuum-Controlled Static Dry CuppingParticipants in this group will receive vacuum-controlled static dry cupping applied to the lumbar region. The cups will be placed on specific points over the lower back and kept stationary for approximately 10 minutes per session along with conventional physiotherapy management for chronic low back pain. |
| Dynamic Dry Cupping | Active comparator | Other: Vacuum-Controlled Dynamic Dry CuppingParticipants in this group will receive vacuum-controlled dynamic dry cupping applied to the lumbar region. After creating negative pressure, the cups will be gently moved over the lower back to mobilize soft tissues along with conventional physiotherapy management for chronic low back pain. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 30 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Age 30 to 40 years. (21)
- Both male and female genders (15)
- Patients experiencing LBP with a score of at least 3/10 on the NPRS (22)
- For more than three months (22).
- Individuals whose workstations have not been ergonomically designed and who have not previously received structured ergonomic interventions related to workplace layout, task design, or load modification also involving home tasks and daily activities. (31)
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- * Subjects with lower body condition (i.e., spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, or intervertebral disk derangement) (15)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum-Controlled Static Dry CuppingVacuum-controlled static dry cupping will be applied to the lumbar region of patients with chronic low back pain. Cups will be placed on the affected area and kept stationary for approximately 10 minutes to create negative pressure, aiming to improve blood circulation, reduce pain, and relieve muscle tension. | Other | Static Dry Cupping |
| Vacuum-Controlled Dynamic Dry CuppingVacuum-controlled dynamic dry cupping will be applied to the lumbar region. After creating negative pressure, the cups will be gently moved over the skin to mobilize soft tissues, enhance circulation, reduce pain, and improve lumbar mobility in patients with chronic low back pain. | Other | Dynamic Dry Cupping |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity
Time frame: Baseline (before treatment) and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Pain intensity in patients with chronic low back pain will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). The NPRS is an 11-point scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 represents the worst imaginable pain. It will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of vacuum-controlled static and dynamic dry cupping in reducing pain levels.
Lumbar Range of Motion
Time frame: Baseline (before treatment) and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Lumbar range of motion will be measured to assess improvement in spinal mobility in patients with chronic low back pain. Lumbar movements including flexion, extension, and lateral flexion will be evaluated using a goniometer or inclinometer.
Functional Disability
Time frame: Baseline (before treatment) and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Functional disability related to chronic low back pain will be assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), a validated questionnaire that measures the impact of back pain on daily activities such as walking, sitting, standing, and personal care.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 Jul 2026.
- 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.
Shoaib Waqas study chair
Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study of Chronic Low-back Pain (cLBP), run by Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 5 inclusion and 5 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Jul 2026. 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 Pakistan. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact SHOAIB WAQAS (03024552109, shoaib.waqas@ubas.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain Intensity (time frame: Baseline (before treatment) and after 6 weeks of intervention.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 22 Jul 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 31 Oct 2026.