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NCT Number: NCT03693079

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

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

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Key information

Conditions

Heavy Metal Toxicity Chemically-Induced Disorders Heavy Metal Poisoning Poisoning

Age range

18 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Suleyman Ersoy

Safranbolu, Karabük Province, 78070, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

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

Treatment and study plan

wet cupping therapy

Procedure

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:

  • Primary suction; cups are left attached to the skin for 5 minutes.
  • Area disinfection; areas are wiped with sterile gauze after disinfection with povidone iodine.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

Primary outcomes

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

    Time frame: 3 months

    the levels of the calculated heavy metals will be in ppm

Secondary outcomes

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

    Time frame: 1 month

    the levels of the calculated heavy metals will be in ppm

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Karabuk University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Investigation of Wet Cupping Therapy on Heavy Metal Levels of Steel Industry Workers: A Self Controlled Interventional Study

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Oct 2, 2018
Registry last updated
Oct 2, 2018

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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