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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07764042

Effects of Wet Cupping Therapy in Patients With Asthma

This study evaluated the effects of wet cupping therapy on immune modulation, pulmonary function, and quality of life in adults with asthma. A total of 52 participants aged 30 to 55 years were allocated to either a control group or a wet cupping therapy group. Participants in the wet cupping therapy group received two sessions of wet cupping therapy, at baseline and one month later. Participants in both groups underwent clinical assessments at baseline and at two months. Pulmonary function, asthma-related quality of life, asthma control, dyspnea, fatigue, anxiety, and depression were assessed in both groups. Selected inflammatory markers were assessed only in the wet cupping therapy group.

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Key information

Conditions

Asthma (Diagnosis) Asthma Bronchial Diseases Disease Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity, Immediate Immune System Diseases Lung Diseases Lung Diseases, Obstructive Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Respiratory Hypersensitivity Respiratory Tract Diseases

Age range

30 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Medipol Mega University Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

-

  • Adults aged 30 to 55 years.
  • Clinically diagnosed with asthma.
  • Asthma diagnosis established at least 6 months before enrollment.
  • No wet cupping therapy within the previous 2 months.
  • No herbal supplementation affecting asthma within the previous 2 months.
  • Able to cooperate with spirometry testing.

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of another chronic disease.
  • Hospitalization during the study period.

Treatment and study plan

wet cupping therapy

Procedure

Wet cupping therapy was administered in two sessions at one-month intervals during the two-month study period. The procedure was performed at predefined anatomical points, including DU14, bilateral UB42, BL13, UB46. Negative-pressure cups were initially applied to the selected areas. After removal of the cups, superficial skin incisions were made using a sterile disposable No. 11 scalpel, followed by a second application of negative pressure for blood collection. Each session was planned to last approximately 30 minutes. The procedure was performed by a physician certified in wet cupping therapy.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in FVC From Baseline to 2 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 months

    Forced vital capacity (FVC) was assessed by spirometry. Change from baseline to 2 months was evaluated.

  2. Change in Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire Score From Baseline to 2 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 months

    Asthma-related quality of life was assessed using the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). Higher scores indicate better asthma-related quality of life.

  3. Change in COPD and Asthma Fatigue Scale Score From Baseline to 2 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 months

    Fatigue was assessed using the COPD and Asthma Fatigue Scale. Higher scores indicate greater fatigue severity.

  4. Change in FEV1 From Baseline to 2 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 months

    Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was assessed by spirometry. Change from baseline to 2 months was evaluated.

  5. Change in FEV1/FVC Ratio From Baseline to 2 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 months

    The FEV1/FVC ratio was assessed by spirometry. Change from baseline to 2 months was evaluated.

  6. Change in PEF From Baseline to 2 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 months

    Peak expiratory flow (PEF) was assessed by spirometry. Change from baseline to 2 months was evaluated.

  7. Change in Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) in the Wet Cupping Therapy Group From Baseline to 2 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 months

    The Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) was calculated from peripheral blood cell counts using platelet, neutrophil, and lymphocyte values. SII was assessed only in the wet cupping therapy group. The change in SII from baseline to 2 months was evaluated as an indicator of systemic immune-inflammatory status.

  8. Change in Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI) in the Wet Cupping Therapy Group From Baseline to 2 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 months

    The Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI) was calculated from peripheral blood cell counts using monocyte, neutrophil, and lymphocyte values. SIRI was assessed only in the wet cupping therapy group. The change in SIRI from baseline to 2 months was evaluated as an indicator of systemic inflammatory status.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Asthma Control Test Score From Baseline to 2 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 months

    Asthma control was assessed using the Asthma Control Test (ACT). The ACT is a 5-item questionnaire with a total score ranging from 5 to 25, with higher scores indicating better asthma control.

  2. Change in Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale Score From Baseline to 2 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 months

    Dyspnea was assessed using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale. The scale ranges from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater severity of breathlessness.

  3. Change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Scores From Baseline to 2 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 months

    Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The HADS consists of 14 items, including 7 anxiety items and 7 depression items, each scored from 0 to 3. Higher subscale scores indicate greater anxiety or depressive symptoms.

  4. Change in Eosinophil Level in the Wet Cupping Therapy Group From Baseline to 2 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 months

    Peripheral blood eosinophil levels were assessed only in the wet cupping therapy group. Within-group changes from baseline to 2 months were evaluated.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Medipol University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Investigation of the Effects of Wet Cupping Therapy on Immune Modulation, Pulmonary Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Asthma

Acronym: WCT-ASTHMA

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Aug 13, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 13, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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