Effectiveness of moving cupping therapy on pain and functionality in rotator cuff injuries: A randomised controlled pilot study

Background Shoulder pain is commonly caused by rotator cuff pathologies. Cupping therapy is one of the mostly used traditional and complementary medicine techniques. In recent years, evidence of potential benefits in musculoskeletal conditions has increased, but studies are limited. Objective The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of moving cupping therapy (MCT) additionally to conventional physiotherapy on pain and functionality in patients with Rotator Cuff Injuries (RCI). Methods In this randomised controlled pilot study thirty women 25–65 aged diagnosed with RCI who applied to Istanbul Medipol University Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation clinic in 2019 were included and they were randomly divided into two groups. Conventional physiotherapy was applied to both of groups five days a week for four weeks. Additionally, the MCT group was treated with MCT for ten minutes, two days a week for four weeks. Pain (Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), range of motion (ROM), functionality (DASH-Constant) and quality of life (SF 36) were evaluated before and after treatment. Within-group comparisons were performed by Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. Comparisons between-group were provided by Mann Whitney U test. Results After treatment there were significant differences in pain, ROM, DASH, Constant scores in both groups ( p < .05). NRS, abduction and external rotation ROM, DASH and Constant measurements were significantly more effective in MCT group ( p < .05). Significant improvements were seen in all SF 36 subscales in control group ( p < .05). Significant improvements were also found in all parameters except role limitations due to emotional problems, emotional well-being and social function in MCT group. According to the comparisons between the groups, only emotional well-being subscale showed a significant difference in favor of control group ( p < .05). Conclusions We concluded that MCT can be used with conservative physiotherapy to improve pain and functional level in RCI as a non-invasive, easily applicable and economical complementary in medicine practices.