Cupping for chronic nonspecific neck pain: A 2-year follow-up

Lauche, R; Cramer, H; Langhorst, J; Dobos, G

Cupping for chronic nonspecific neck pain: A 2-year follow-up

Lauche, R

Cramer, H

Langhorst, J Dobos, G

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2013, 20 (5), pp. 328 - 333
Issue Date:: 2013-10-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Lauche, R https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4171-7935	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Cramer, H https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3640-8046	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Langhorst, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Dobos, G	en_US
dc.date.issued	2013-10-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2013, 20 (5), pp. 328 - 333	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1661-4119	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/116656
dc.description.abstract	Background: Several trials have shown that cupping might be an effective treatment for chronic nonspecific neck pain, but little is known about the long-term effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate long-term effects of a short series of cupping; therefore additional follow-up measurements were conducted 2 years after completion of 3 studies. Patients and Methods: Participants from 3 randomized waitlist controlled trials on cupping for chronic nonspecific neck pain were followed 2 years after treatment. Outcome measures included neck pain intensity (100 mm Visual Analog Scale; VAS), functional disability (Neck Disability Index, NDI), and health-related quality of life (Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire; SF-36). Results: 133 of 150 patients had received cupping treatment and were contacted; 82 of them (61.7%) returned the follow-up questionnaires. No effect was found for neck pain intensity, but for physical function ( NDI: -3.15; 95% CI: -5.89; -0.41; p = 0.025) and quality of life ( physical component summary: 2.97; 95% CI: 0.97; 4.97; p = 0.004; bodily pain: 14.53; 95 % CI: 9.67; 19.39; p < 0.001). Mean duration of cupping effect was 8.9 ± 8.7 months with 16 patients reporting that neck pain had not yet reached the level before cupping. The majority of the patients did not continue cupping therapy, mostly due to lack of providers, costs or loss of interest. Conclusions: A series of cupping treatments did not influence neck pain intensity on the longer term, however significant increases were found for physical function and quality of life in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain. Due to the considerable drop-out rate conclusions are limited. There is evidence suggesting that cupping treatment might have sustainable effects in some patients. Further randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up are urgently needed for conclusive judgment of long-term effectiveness. © 2013 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Forschende Komplementarmedizin	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1159/000355634	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Complementary & Alternative Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Neck Pain	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Treatment Outcome	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Complementary Therapies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Follow-Up Studies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Quality of Life	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Chronic Pain	en_US
dc.title	Cupping for chronic nonspecific neck pain: A 2-year follow-up	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	5	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	20	en_US
utslib.for	1104 Complementary and Alternative Medicine	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	5	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	20	en_US

Abstract:

Background: Several trials have shown that cupping might be an effective treatment for chronic nonspecific neck pain, but little is known about the long-term effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate long-term effects of a short series of cupping; therefore additional follow-up measurements were conducted 2 years after completion of 3 studies. Patients and Methods: Participants from 3 randomized waitlist controlled trials on cupping for chronic nonspecific neck pain were followed 2 years after treatment. Outcome measures included neck pain intensity (100 mm Visual Analog Scale; VAS), functional disability (Neck Disability Index, NDI), and health-related quality of life (Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire; SF-36). Results: 133 of 150 patients had received cupping treatment and were contacted; 82 of them (61.7%) returned the follow-up questionnaires. No effect was found for neck pain intensity, but for physical function ( NDI: -3.15; 95% CI: -5.89; -0.41; p = 0.025) and quality of life ( physical component summary: 2.97; 95% CI: 0.97; 4.97; p = 0.004; bodily pain: 14.53; 95 % CI: 9.67; 19.39; p < 0.001). Mean duration of cupping effect was 8.9 ± 8.7 months with 16 patients reporting that neck pain had not yet reached the level before cupping. The majority of the patients did not continue cupping therapy, mostly due to lack of providers, costs or loss of interest. Conclusions: A series of cupping treatments did not influence neck pain intensity on the longer term, however significant increases were found for physical function and quality of life in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain. Due to the considerable drop-out rate conclusions are limited. There is evidence suggesting that cupping treatment might have sustainable effects in some patients. Further randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up are urgently needed for conclusive judgment of long-term effectiveness. © 2013 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/116656