Cupping therapy in the treatment of individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain: a placebo-controlled, randomized, blind study
Cupping therapy, low back pain, function
Introduction: Low back pain is a very prevalent condition in the population and cupping therapy has been presented as a non-pharmacological treatment currently used in this population. However, there is a lack of studies that evaluate such effects, besides a standardization of application of the technique in this condition. This protocol describes a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study that aims to assess the effectiveness of cupping therapy in improving pain and other symptoms of individuals with chronic non-specific back pain. Methods: Ninety individuals with chronic nonspecific and localized chronic low back pain from 18 to 59 years old will be recruited. Afterwards they will be randomized to one of the 2 groups: intervention group (GI) where it will be submitted applied to the cupping therapy with 2 suctions; and placebo group (GP) with simulated application. Both applications will occur in parallel to the vertebrae from L1 to L5 bilaterally. The application will be performed once a week for eight weeks. The volunteers will be evaluated before treatment (T0), immediately after the first intervention (T1), 4 weeks after treatment (T4) and 8 weeks after treatment (T8). The primary endpoint will be pain, and the secondary ones will be kinesiophobia, physical function, lumbar range of motion, sleep quality, patient expectation, quality of life, and psychological factors. Discussion: This is the first study that proposes to evaluate the effect of cupping therapy on lumbar ROM, sleep quality, kinesiophobia and psychological problems. Few studies have been done on cupping therapy individuals with low back pain, requiring further studies with good methodological quality. Because there is no consensus on the use of cupping therapy in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain, our protocol will be the basis for the use of the technique by health professionals and for new studies to be performed.