[Different operation sequences between acupuncture and cupping therapy for lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness: a randomized controlled trial].
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of different operation sequences (acupuncture followed by cupping vs. cupping followed by acupuncture) for treating lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness.
Results Summary
Both sequences improved pain, disability, and lumbar temperature, but cupping followed by acupuncture showed better pain relief and lower adverse reaction rates. The overall efficacy rates were similar (92.1% vs. 94.6%).
Population
76 patients with lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness.
Effective Dosage
Flash cupping for 3 min followed by 10 min retention at specific points, once every two days, 3 times weekly.
Duration
3 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
acupuncture + cupping therapy (A + C group) | decrease | VAS scores | patients with lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness | - | decreased | #1 |
acupuncture + cupping therapy (A + C group) | decrease | ODI scores | patients with lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness | - | decreased | #2 |
acupuncture + cupping therapy (A + C group) | decrease | TCM syndrome scores | patients with lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness | - | decreased | #3 |
acupuncture + cupping therapy (A + C group) | increase | mean temperature of the lumbar region | patients with lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness | - | increased | #4 |
cupping + acupuncture therapy (C + A group) | decrease | VAS scores | patients with lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness | - | decreased | #5 |
cupping + acupuncture therapy (C + A group) | decrease | ODI scores | patients with lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness | - | decreased | #6 |
cupping + acupuncture therapy (C + A group) | decrease | TCM syndrome scores | patients with lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness | - | decreased | #7 |
cupping + acupuncture therapy (C + A group) | increase | mean temperature of the lumbar region | patients with lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness | - | increased | #8 |
cupping + acupuncture therapy (C + A group) | decrease | VAS score | patients with lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness | - | were lower than those in the A + C group | #9 |
cupping + acupuncture therapy (C + A group) | decrease | pain score of ODI | patients with lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness | - | were lower than those in the A + C group | #10 |
cupping + acupuncture therapy (C + A group) | decrease | incidence rate of adverse reactions | patients with lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness | - | was lower than that of the A + C group | #11 |
acupuncture + cupping therapy (A + C group) | neutral | effective rate | patients with lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness | 92.1% (35/38) | obtained | #12 |
cupping + acupuncture therapy (C + A group) | neutral | effective rate | patients with lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness | 94.6% (35/37) | obtained | #13 |
OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy on lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness between the different operation sequences of acupuncture and cupping therapy. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness were randomly divided into an acupuncture + cupping group (A + C group, 38 cases) and a cupping + acupuncture group (C + A group, 38 cases, 1 case dropped off). In the A + C group, cupping therapy was delivered 10 min after the end of treatment with acupuncture, while in the C + A group, acupuncture therapy was exerted 10 min after the end of treatment with cupping. Acupuncture was applied to Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), ashi point and bilateral Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Weizhong (BL 40) and Yanglingquan (GB 34), and the needles were retained for 30 min in each intervention. Flash cupping was operated along the bilateral sides of the lumbar spine for 3 min, and the cups were retained for 10 min at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25) and ashi points. The intervention was delivered once every two days, 3 times weekly, for 3 weeks totally in each group. The scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI), TCM syndrome score and the mean temperature of the lumbar region before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. The safety and the clinical efficacy were assessed for the interventions of the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the values before treatment, except for the sleep score of ODI, the VAS scores, ODI scores and TCM syndrome scores were decreased after treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05); while the mean temperature of the lumbar region was increased (P<0.01) in both groups. After treatment, the VAS score and the pain score of ODI in the C + A group were lower than those in the A + C group (P<0.05). The incidence rate of adverse reactions of the C + A group was lower than that of the A + C group (P<0.01). The effective rate in the A+C group was 92.1% (35/38), that in the C+A group was 94.6%(35/37), there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Different operation sequences between acupuncture and cupping therapy obtain the similar efficacy on lumbar muscle strain with cold and dampness, but cupping therapy delivered prior to acupuncture has certain advantages in relieving pain and improving safety.