Investigation of Wet Cupping Therapy on Heavy Metal Levels of Steel Industry Workers

Karabuk University44 enrolled

Overview

This interventional study investigates the efficacy of Wet cupping therapy on heavy metal levels.The levels of the selected heavy metals will be measured in the blood samples obtained from the participants before and after the interventions

Wet cupping therapy (WCT) is a traditional therapy which was used for centuries especially for detoxifiying purposes.Current literature also points out its blood clarifiying capacity in order to illuminate the underlying mechanism of this ancient treatment. Steel industry workers, different from the general population are exposed to heavy metals more often.Conducting a study in this special group where we will evaluate the levels of selected heavy metals in blood before and after the three sessions of WCT might let us know its detoxifiying capacity based on measurable parameters.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Heavy Metal Toxicity

Interventions

Wet cupping therapyPROCEDURE

CT was applied using plastic disposable vacuum cups on the back in the 5 areas of C7 cervical spine (DU14 acupoint), T2-4 lateral spine bilaterally (BL41-42 acupoint) and T6-8 lateral spine bilaterally (BL44-46). The cupping technique procedure was conducted in five phases: 1. Primary suction; cups are left attached to the skin for 5 minutes. 2. Area disinfection; areas are wiped with sterile gauze after disinfection with povidone iodine. 3. Scarification; Superficial incisions (20-30 gauge), 5 mm length and 1-2 mm depth, are made on the skin with a sterile, number 11 surgical blade. 4. Bloodletting and secondary suction; the cups which had been previously removed are placed again on the scarified areas Blood leaks from the capillary vessels of the skin and subcutaneous tissue and fills the cups, which are left in place for 15 minutes. 5. Removing and dressing; the cups full of blood are removed. The areas of application are wiped with sterile gauze and then a dressing is applied

Eligibility

Sex: MALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 55 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy individuals * Iron and Steel industry workers Exclusion Criteria: * having any chronic disorder * being on daily medication * wet cupping application in the last 6 months

Locations (1)

Suleyman Ersoy

Safranbolu, Karabük Province, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Levels of the selected heavy metals in venous blood samples before and after the interventions

the levels of the calculated heavy metals will be in ppm

Time frame: 3 months

Secondary Outcomes

Levels of the selected heavy metals in cupping blood samples obtained during the first intervention

the levels of the calculated heavy metals will be in ppm

Time frame: 1 month

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.