The Effects of Stretching Versus Static and Dynamic Cupping on Lumbar Range of Motion

NCT ID: NCT04230850

Last Updated: 2020-11-16

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

45 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-01-20

Study Completion Date

2020-09-01

Brief Summary

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The objective of this study is to fill gaps in the literature regarding the effectiveness of cupping therapy on lumbar stiffness. Participants will be recruited from the University of South Carolina and from local clinics in Columbia, South Carolina. Individuals will be classified based on lumbar range of motion limitations, and then they will be equally dispersed into three treatment groups via stratified randomization. These groups include dynamic cupping, static cupping, or stretching. All participants will be assessed prior to selected treatment to obtain baseline values for four measures: back range of motion (BROM), pain pressure threshold (PPT), active straight leg raise (ASLR), and numeric pain rating scale (NPRS). Participants will be given each measure directly after treatment, followed by a follow-up measurement 24 hours after treatment.

Detailed Description

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Cupping therapy has become recently popular in Western culture due to affordability, lack of invasiveness, and low risk of adverse effects. However, there is insufficient evidence of the effectiveness on this treatment technique on decreasing pain and increasing range of motion. This project aims to help fill the gaps by using a larger sample size and clear methodology.

The aims of the study include to determine if both static and dynamic cupping therapy have a greater effect on BROM, PPT, ASLR, and NRPS as compared to stretching, and if any changes made are maintained to a different degree over a 24 hour period based on treatment. Additional aims of the study include to determine if there is a difference between type of cupping (static vs dynamic) on these four measures. By performing this study, scientific knowledge of cupping therapy will be improved and expanded, thus impacting how it is used in clinical practice.

Conditions

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Stiffness; Spine

Keywords

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Cupping therapy on lumbar stiffness

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

A parallel design typically compares two or more treatments. Participants are randomly assigned to one of the groups, treatments are administered, and then the results are compared. In this study, individuals will be placed in one of three groups: static stretching group, dynamic cupping group, or stretching group.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Investigators Outcome Assessors
The people collecting the data will not be aware of which intervention group the subjects were allocated to.

Study Groups

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Mildly Impaired Group

This group will consist of participants with 35-50 degrees of lumbar flexion.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Static Cupping

Intervention Type OTHER

Two cups will be applied unilaterally to the lumbar paraspinals. The skin will be elevated to 1.5 cm ensuring standardized pressure. Cups will remain on the treatment area statically for 4 minutes prior to removal. Another 4 minute bout of identical treatment to the contralateral side will follow. (Participants will be equally dispersed into three treatment groups via stratified randomization).

Dynamic Cupping

Intervention Type OTHER

One cup will be applied ipsilaterally, raising skin to 1.2 cm of standard pressure. The cup will be continuously moved in a sweeping motion between L1 and L5 within a defined width. This process will be repeated on the other side. Each side will be treated for 4 minutes dynamically for a total treatment duration of 8 minutes. (Participants will be equally dispersed into three treatment groups via stratified randomization).

Stretching

Intervention Type OTHER

The stretching program performed will involve a double knee to chest stretch, cat stretch, camel stretch, and pelvic tilts. Participants will receive a 30 second rest break between each of the four stretches. (Participants will be equally dispersed into three treatment groups via stratified randomization).

Moderately Impaired Group

This group will consist of participants with 20-34 degrees of lumbar flexion.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Static Cupping

Intervention Type OTHER

Two cups will be applied unilaterally to the lumbar paraspinals. The skin will be elevated to 1.5 cm ensuring standardized pressure. Cups will remain on the treatment area statically for 4 minutes prior to removal. Another 4 minute bout of identical treatment to the contralateral side will follow. (Participants will be equally dispersed into three treatment groups via stratified randomization).

Dynamic Cupping

Intervention Type OTHER

One cup will be applied ipsilaterally, raising skin to 1.2 cm of standard pressure. The cup will be continuously moved in a sweeping motion between L1 and L5 within a defined width. This process will be repeated on the other side. Each side will be treated for 4 minutes dynamically for a total treatment duration of 8 minutes. (Participants will be equally dispersed into three treatment groups via stratified randomization).

Stretching

Intervention Type OTHER

The stretching program performed will involve a double knee to chest stretch, cat stretch, camel stretch, and pelvic tilts. Participants will receive a 30 second rest break between each of the four stretches. (Participants will be equally dispersed into three treatment groups via stratified randomization).

Highly Impaired Group

This group will consist of participants with less than 20 degrees of lumbar flexion.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Static Cupping

Intervention Type OTHER

Two cups will be applied unilaterally to the lumbar paraspinals. The skin will be elevated to 1.5 cm ensuring standardized pressure. Cups will remain on the treatment area statically for 4 minutes prior to removal. Another 4 minute bout of identical treatment to the contralateral side will follow. (Participants will be equally dispersed into three treatment groups via stratified randomization).

Dynamic Cupping

Intervention Type OTHER

One cup will be applied ipsilaterally, raising skin to 1.2 cm of standard pressure. The cup will be continuously moved in a sweeping motion between L1 and L5 within a defined width. This process will be repeated on the other side. Each side will be treated for 4 minutes dynamically for a total treatment duration of 8 minutes. (Participants will be equally dispersed into three treatment groups via stratified randomization).

Stretching

Intervention Type OTHER

The stretching program performed will involve a double knee to chest stretch, cat stretch, camel stretch, and pelvic tilts. Participants will receive a 30 second rest break between each of the four stretches. (Participants will be equally dispersed into three treatment groups via stratified randomization).

Interventions

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Static Cupping

Two cups will be applied unilaterally to the lumbar paraspinals. The skin will be elevated to 1.5 cm ensuring standardized pressure. Cups will remain on the treatment area statically for 4 minutes prior to removal. Another 4 minute bout of identical treatment to the contralateral side will follow. (Participants will be equally dispersed into three treatment groups via stratified randomization).

Intervention Type OTHER

Dynamic Cupping

One cup will be applied ipsilaterally, raising skin to 1.2 cm of standard pressure. The cup will be continuously moved in a sweeping motion between L1 and L5 within a defined width. This process will be repeated on the other side. Each side will be treated for 4 minutes dynamically for a total treatment duration of 8 minutes. (Participants will be equally dispersed into three treatment groups via stratified randomization).

Intervention Type OTHER

Stretching

The stretching program performed will involve a double knee to chest stretch, cat stretch, camel stretch, and pelvic tilts. Participants will receive a 30 second rest break between each of the four stretches. (Participants will be equally dispersed into three treatment groups via stratified randomization).

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* 18 years or older, 50 degrees or less of lumbar flexion

Exclusion Criteria

* Cancer, organ failure, collagen disorders, deep vein thrombosis, pacemakers, bleeding disorders, recent fever
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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University of South Carolina

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Cathy Arnot

Clinical Associate Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Cathy Arnot, DPT

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of South Carolina

Locations

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University of South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Other Identifiers

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Pro00092733

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id