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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02651766

The Effects of Cupping Massage in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain - A Randomized Controlled Trial

The study aims to investigate the influence of 5 cupping massage treatments on chronic non specific neck pain. 50 patients with neck pain are randomised into cupping treatment and waiting list control group. Before and after the intervention the investigators evaluate the neck pain (VAS), the neck related disability (NDI), pain on movement (POM) and the quality of life (SF36) and safety. To investigate neurophysiological effects of cupping the investigators also measure mechanical detection threshold (MDT), vibration detection threshold (VDT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) and the two point discrimination threshold at pain related and control areas.

The treatment group receives 5 cupping treatments over a period of 3 weeks.

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Key information

Conditions

Neck Pain Mechanical/Motor Problems With Neck and Trunk Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Knappschaftskrankenhaus

Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, 45276, Germany

About this study

see above

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • age between 18 and 75
  • permanent neck pain for at least three months in a row
  • a minimum of 40mm of neck pain on a 100mm visual analogue scale (VAS)

Exclusion criteria

  • neck pain caused by trauma, inflammatory or malignant disease, by congenital malformation of the spine or if pain was accompanied by radicular symptoms such as radiating pain, paresis, prickling or tingling.
  • invasive treatments within the last 4 weeks, surgery to the spine within the last year, corticosteroid or opioid treatment.
  • serious acute or chronic organic disease such as diabetes or cancer, mental disorders, pregnancy, and haemorrhagic tendency or anticoagulation treatment.
  • non steroidal pain medication and physiotherapy were allowed if the treatment regimen was not altered for four weeks before and continued during the study.

Treatment and study plan

cupping massage

Procedure

Using suction on the skin by means of glass cups, and moving the cups after applying massage oil on the skin

Other names: Moving cupping treatment

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain intensity

    Time frame: 3 weeks

    100mm Visual Analogue Scale from 0mm 'no pain' to 100mm 'maximal pain'

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain on movement (POM)

    Time frame: 3 weeks

    100mm Visual Analogue Scale from 0mm 'no pain' to 100mm 'maximal pain' Intensity rated for 6 movement directions flexion, tension, and rotation

  2. Neck disability index

    Time frame: 3 weeks

    NDI measures neck pain complaints (Vernon und Mior 1991)

  3. Quality of Life SF-36

    Time frame: 3 weeks

    the sf-36 is a short form health survey consisting of 8 scales to measure functional health and wellbeing (Bullinger & Kirchberger 1998)

  4. mechanical detection threshold MDT

    Time frame: 3 weeks

    by von Frey filaments to measure perception threshold for light touch (Rolke, Pain, 2006)

  5. vibration detection threshold VDT

    Time frame: 3 weeks

    with a tuning fork to measure perception threshold for vibration (Rolke, Pain, 2006)

  6. pressure pain threshold PPT

    Time frame: 3 weeks

    with a pressure gauge algometer to determine threshold for painful pressure (Rolke, Pain, 2006) on the area of maximal neck pain, the adjacent and hand and foot

  7. Adverse events

    Time frame: 3 weeks

    Number of patients with adverse events

  8. two point discrimination threshold

    Time frame: 3 weeks

    using a pair of circles, determining the distance necessary between those to perceive them as separate sensations

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universität Duisburg-Essen

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Randomised Controlled Trial on the Influence of Cupping Massage on Pain Intensity and Sensory Mechanical and Pain Thresholds in Patients With Chronic Non Specific Neck Pain

Acronym: SKM

Important dates

Study start
2009
Primary completion
2011
Study completion
2011
First posted
Jan 11, 2016
Registry last updated
May 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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