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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06900556

Dry Cupping for Recovery From Muscle Damage

This study compares the effect of dry cupping to placebo cupping after muscle-damaging exercise on recovery of muscle strength, muscle swelling, and muscle soreness.

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Key information

Conditions

Muscle Damage

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N5B2, Canada

About this study

Dry cupping is a technique where cups are placed on the skin and a suction device is used to remove air from the cups. This study aims to investigate whether dry cupping therapy can enhance muscle recovery following exercise by measuring muscle soreness, swelling, and strength in the biceps. Six sets of biceps curls (emphasizing concentric and eccentric overload) will be performed on each arm, followed by dry cupping with suction applied to one arm (experimental) and dry cupping without suction (placebo) applied to the opposite arm. Experimental and placebo arms for each participant will be randomized. Before exercise and immediately, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after exercise, muscle strength, muscle swelling (ultrasound), and muscle soreness (visual analog scale) will be assessed.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Male or female
  • 18-35 years old
  • Experienced with upper arm resistance training for at least 3 months

Exclusion criteria

  • Conditions that might make exercise dangerous (determined by "yes" answers to the "Get Active Questionnaire")
  • Open wounds, scars, eczema, or other skin sensitivities on the biceps area

Treatment and study plan

Dry cupping with suction

Procedure

Dry cupping with suction applied to the biceps

Dry cupping without suction

Procedure

Dry cupping without suction applied to the biceps

Primary outcomes

  1. Biceps isometric strength measured by dynamometry (Nm)

    Time frame: Change over 72 hours

Secondary outcomes

  1. Biceps swelling (muscle thickness) measured with ultrasound (cm)

    Time frame: Change over 24 hours

  2. Biceps muscle soreness measured with a visual analog scale from 0 (no soreness) to 10 (maximal soreness)

    Time frame: Change over 72 hours

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Saskatchewan

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Post-exercise Dry Cupping Therapy on Muscle Recovery

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Mar 28, 2025
Registry last updated
Feb 23, 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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