Assessment of the Short-Term Efficacy of a Wet-Cupping Therapy Session in Alleviating Symptoms of Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Single-Arm Clinical Trial

Abstract

Fibromyalgia holds significant importance in both primary care and physical treatment settings due to its high prevalence and the challenges associated with its diagnosis and management. This study aims to assess the short-term efficacy of a wet-cupping therapy session in alleviating symptoms of Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). This study employed a prospective, single-arm intervention design. Baseline and post-treatment evaluations encompassed a comprehensive battery of assessment tools: Socio-Demographic Questionary, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Pain, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Beck Depression Scale (BDS), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). A total of 20 eligible individuals were enrolled in the study. Significant alterations in pain perception, as measured by the VAS, were evident both prior to treatment and at the end of the first week of treatment (p < 0.001). Additionally, significant favorable effects of the treatment were observed on FSS and BDS levels during the initial week of therapy (p = 0.001, p = 0.01; respectively). Moreover, a marked improvement was identified in FIQ scores after treatment compared to baseline (p < 0.001). Across all evaluated clinical indicators, cupping therapy exhibited a significant positive influence on FMS. In conclusion, wet cupping therapy yields favorable outcomes in terms of pain perception, fatigue reduction, mood enhancement, and the overall impact of fibromyalgia syndrome. Thus, it offers a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention among individuals afflicted by this condition.