Effect of wet cupping on fibromyalgia symptoms
Evaluation of the Effect of Wet Cupping (Hijama) on Primary Fibromyalgia Using Brain Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Patient-reported Forms: Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
This study is testing whether adding wet cupping therapy to home exercises can help women with fibromyalgia feel better compared to just doing the exercises alone.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 55 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Cairo University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Cairo) |
| Trial ID | NCT06320262 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effectiveness of wet cupping therapy combined with home-based exercise in improving symptoms of primary fibromyalgia compared to home-based exercise alone. It will include 50 female patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria, with symptoms not exceeding two years. Participants will undergo various assessments, including pain intensity, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and depression evaluations. The goal is to determine if wet cupping can provide significant relief from fibromyalgia symptoms.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult females aged 18-55 with a clinical diagnosis of primary fibromyalgia and moderate pain intensity.
Not a fit: Patients with underlying medical conditions, severe anemia, or those currently using certain medications will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could offer a new non-pharmacological option for managing fibromyalgia symptoms.
How similar studies have performed: While wet cupping has gained popularity, this specific approach to treating fibromyalgia is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in previous studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients aged 18-55 years. * Female individuals to avoid the gender confounding factor. * Clinical diagnosis of primary fibromyalgia according to the 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) updated diagnostic criteria. * Moderate pain intensity of ≥ 45 mm or higher on a visual analog scale (VAS). * No use of skeletal muscle relaxants, antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs, corticosteroids, benzodiazepines, and tramadol within a year before the screening visit. Exclusion Criteria: * Underlying rheumatic, malignant, metabolic, hematological, or neurological disorders. * Patients with bleeding disorders or receiving anticoagulants. * Previous use, within a year, or current use of skeletal muscle relaxants, antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs, corticosteroids, benzodiazepines, or tramadol * Patients with BMI ≤ 18 or ≥ 35. * Pregnant or lactating women. * Patients with severe anemia.
Where this trial is running
Cairo
- Rheumatology and Immunology out patient clinic, Internal Medicine Department, Cairo University — Cairo, Egypt (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mohamed Yousef, Professor — Kasr Alainy School of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
- Study coordinator: Rasmia M Elgohary, A. Prof.
- Email: rasmiaelgohary@kasralainy.edu.eg
- Phone: 01111370118
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.