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Abstract

Introduction: Cupping therapy is a therapeutic modality that uses negative pressures to achieve therapeutic benefits. Various published studies report that cupping therapy decreases pain, increases range of motion, and improves blood flow. Previous studies also report an effect on tissue tenderness. However, there do not appear to be any studies assessing the effects of cupping therapy on touch pressure threshold, which measures skin sensitivity. Changes in touch pressure threshold may provide more information on the neurological effect cupping therapy has on treated tissues. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of cupping therapy on touch pressure threshold with a control condition in collegiate baseball players. Methods: We recruited and consented ten apparently healthy college baseball players (21.50 ± 1.18 yrs, 185.93 ± 6.21 cm, 89.16 ± 7.23 kg). Subjects received treatment on the left side of their lower back while the right side of their lower back served as the control and received no treatment. Touch pressure threshold, in grams of force measured by Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments, was the primary outcome measure. Measurements were taken three times on the left side followed by three times on the right. The treatment site was prepared by applying coconut oil to the skin. One plastic pneumatic cup was applied to the left side, placed 5-cm lateral to the spinous process of the L4 vertebra. Two pumps of air were withdrawn from the cup, and the cup was left in place for 20 minutes. Following removal of the cup, touch pressure thresholds were taken for both sides again. A paired samples t-test was performed to determine if cupping therapy had a significant effect on touch pressure threshold, and an independent samples t-test was performed to determine differences in changes between the treatment site and control site, with significance set at p < .05. Results: Within group measures for touch pressure threshold produced significant increases post cupping therapy treatment (3.06 ± 0.50 to 3.73 ± 0.58 , p < .01). When compared with the control, cupping therapy resulted in a significant increase in touch pressure threshold (F(1,19)=10.902, p < .01). Clinical Application: Cupping therapy applied for 20 minutes to the lower back appears to increase touch pressure threshold. This suggests that cupping therapy may influence cutaneous sensory nerves, in addition to the previously reported effects on treated tissues. Further studies should be conducted to confirm the effect of cupping therapy touch pressure threshold. Clinicians should use discretion when selecting a therapeutic modality if attempting to increase skin sensitivity.

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