An interventional study of wet cupping therapy in Cerebral Hypoxia, sponsored by Karabuk University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-02-24.
Sponsored by Karabuk University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
The aim of this clinical trial is to investigate the efficacy of wet cupping therapy (WCT) on cerebral oxygenation using the NIRS device. With the demonstration of the positive effect of the WCT on cerebral oxygenation, it was aimed to use it effectively in stroke rehabilitation.
In the outpatient clinic setting, firstly the sensor pads of the NIRS device will be attached to the arcus superciliaris (GB14) under the tuber frontalis on both sides. After the measurement is initiated, WCT will be applied to the planum occipitale (DU 20) and to the pars squamosa (GB6-8) of the temporal bone on the sides. Measurement will continue for 10 minutes during and after the WCT application. NIRS and oxygenation measurement data will be compared before, during, and after the WCT application.
The importance of NIRS is that it can detect differences in tissue oxygen uptake that cannot be routinely identified by existing methods (24). The ability of near-infrared (NIR; near infrared; wavelength 650 - 1100nm) light to penetrate tissues and to be absorbed by some chromophores (such as haemoglobin, cytochrome oxidase, bilirubin, urobilin) has formed the basis of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO2) measurement (15). NIRS is a technique in which the amount of absorption of NIR light by chromophore molecules [such as oxyhaemoglobin (O2Hb) and deoxyhaemoglobin (HHb), cytochrome-c oxidase (CCO), myoglobin] is measured while passing through tissues (16). rScO2 values less than 40% or changes greater than 25% from baseline values may be a harbinger of cerebral ischaemia (17). Cerebral oximetry has attracted attention because it is easy to use and uncomplicated. NIRS should be used as a trend monitor.
In the current study, it is aimed to investigate the efficacy of wet cupping therapy (WCT) on cerebral oxygenation using the NIRS device. Following the enrollment of the healthy individuals, they will all receive one session of WCT. During the WCT application, the cerebral oxygenation levels will be measured with an NIRS device.
In the outpatient clinic setting, the NIRS device's sensor pads will be attached to the arcus superciliaris (GB14) under the tuber frontalis on both sides. After the measurement is initiated, WCT will be applied to the planum occipitale (DU 20) and the pars squamosa (GB6-8) of the temporal bone on the sides. Measurement will continue for 10 minutes during and after the WCT application. The data obtained by NIRS will be compared before, during, and after the WCT application so that we will be able to find out any possible effects of WCT on cerebral oxygenation.
81 studies on the registry are indexed under Hypoxia, Brain; 19 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 40 is below the median of 60 across 55 interventional studies indexed under Hypoxia, Brain.
Browse Hypoxia, Brain studies →Karabuk University is the lead sponsor of 143 studies on the registry; 40 are open to participants now.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).
Blood tests of how long blood takes to clot. The INR is the prothrombin time (PT) put on a common scale; about 1 is usual for someone not taking a blood thinner.
Criteria often make an exception for people on a blood thinner such as warfarin, whose INR is raised on purpose.
Contraindication
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hemoglobin (Hb)
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
INR, PT and aPTT (clotting tests)
Blood tests of how long blood takes to clot. The INR is the prothrombin time (PT) put on a common scale; about 1 is usual for someone not taking a blood thinner.
Criteria often make an exception for people on a blood thinner such as warfarin, whose INR is raised on purpose.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The intervention group will receive one session of WCT. Before, during and after the WCT application cerebral oxygenation levels will be measured by NIRS device.
Procedure: wet cupping therapy
The cupping (WCT) procedure consists of five phases: Primary suction: Using a manual suction pump, air was drawn from glass cups that were positioned on the chosen locations. The skin and subcutaneous tissue swelled as a result of the cups' five minutes of skin contact. Area disinfection: After disinfecting the cupped areas with povidone-iodine, they were wiped with sterile gauze. Scarification: Using a sterile number 11 surgical blade, superficial incisions measuring 20-30 gauge in length and 1-2 mm in depth were made on the skin. Bloodletting and secondary suction: Once again applied to the scarified areas, the previously removed cups created suction using the manual pump which was previously mentioned. In order to fill the cups, blood was drawn from the skin's and subcutaneous tissue's capillaries. Removing and dressing: After 10 minutes, the cups filled with blood were removed. The application areas were wiped with sterile gauze, and dressings were applied.
Oxygen levels
Cerebral oxygenation levels measured by NIRS device
Time frame: Just before WCT application and 10 minutes after the application
This study is completed, as verified in Feb 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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