Investigating wet cupping therapy's effect on brain oxygen levels

Investigation of Wet Cupping Therapy Effect on Cerebral Oxygenation Levels by NIRS

NA · Karabuk University · NCT06540781

This study is testing whether wet cupping therapy can improve oxygen levels in the brain for healthy adults aged 18-65.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorKarabuk University (other)
Locations1 site (Kayseri)
Trial IDNCT06540781 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of wet cupping therapy (WCT) in improving cerebral oxygenation using a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device. Healthy participants aged 18-65 will undergo a single session of WCT, during which their cerebral oxygen levels will be monitored before, during, and after the treatment. The study will measure changes in regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO2) to determine the impact of WCT on brain oxygen levels. The findings could inform future applications of WCT in stroke rehabilitation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy individuals aged 18 to 65 who consent to participate.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications for wet cupping therapy or those with chronic conditions and on medication may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a novel therapeutic approach to enhance cerebral oxygenation, potentially benefiting stroke rehabilitation.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of wet cupping therapy is traditional, this specific application using NIRS to measure cerebral oxygenation is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy individual
* Age 18-65 years
* Consent to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

* Having received cupping therapy in the past 3 months
* Contraindications for WCT (such as hemoglobin level below 9.5 g/dL, bleeding disorders, receiving antithrombotic or antiplatelet therapy, INR value above 1.5),
* Coexisting chronic conditions and using any medication

Where this trial is running

Kayseri

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Cerebral Hypoxia, Cerebral oxygenation, Wet cupping therapy, NIRS

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.