Vacuum Cupping for Chronic Neck and Back Pain

Jena University Hospital5 enrolled

Overview

Small clinical pilot studies have shown that vacuum massage-related techniques such as traditional dry cupping can reduce musculoskeletal pain such as back and neck pain. At the same time, little is yet known about the potential mechanisms of action of these therapies. A vacuum pump induces a massaging effect of the skin including the deeper tissue layers. The resulting massage technique corresponds to a kind of tissue manipulation similar to dry cupping. In this procedure, suction force and air flow can be individually adjusted. This is an advantage that can be used for patients with varying degrees of sensitivity or who are preloaded by patients with varying degrees of sensitivity or a history of pain. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of the study design.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Chronic Pain Neck Pain Back Pain

Interventions

AERO vacuum cupping deviceDEVICE

The treatment consists of 5 sessions (approx. 30 min) of vacuum massage. The vacuum pump provided by the device provides a type of vacuum massage, that can be adjusted according to applied suction and air flow. The resulting massage technique provides a type of soft tissue manipulation similar to the ancient traditional medicine technique of cupping. Nonetheless, this automated technique allows for more precise determination of the massage characteristics.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 75 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * chronic neck or back pain * mean pain intensity ≥ 40 mm VAS Exclusion Criteria: * neurological symptoms or neuropathic pain * vertebral column surgery less than 12 months prior to the study * TENS, acupuncture, osteopathy, or a chiropractic maneuvre or infiltration at the area within 4 weeks prior to the inclusion in the study * congenital deformation of the spine

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Pain intensity (Numeric rating scale (NRS))

NRS is a 11-point pain scale for self-reporting of pain ("0" meaning "no pain" and "10" meaning "worst pain")

Time frame: measured at baseline (week 1) and weekly during treatment (week 2 to 5) and 1 month after last treatment

Secondary Outcomes

Quantitative sensory testing (QST)

QST is a diagnostic tool which allows measurement of pain sensitivity.

Time frame: measured at baseline (week 1) and weekly during treatment (week 2 to 5) and 1 month after last treatment

Neck Disability Index (NDI)

NDI is used to measure neck pain and to quantify disability for neck pain.

Time frame: measured at baseline (week 1), at the end of treatment (week 5) and after 1 month after last treatmentekly during treatment (week 2 to 5) and 1 month after last treatment

Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

ODI is used to measure low back pain and to quantify disability for low back pain.

Time frame: measured at baseline (week 1), at the end of treatment (week 5) and after 1 month after last treatment

Pain diary

A pain diary helps to track pain in the course of the study.

Time frame: filled in from baseline (week 1) until last treatment (week 5)