Alternative medicine: an update on cupping therapy

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Traditional Therapies
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Cupping therapy is a traditional healing practice with a long history.
• Global research interest in cupping therapy has increased over the past five years.
• Understanding the current research landscape is crucial for its integration into modern healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively analyze the global research progress of cupping therapy over the last five years.
• To evaluate the clinical evidence, mechanistic understanding, and standardization efforts related to cupping therapy.
• To identify key trends and areas requiring further investigation in cupping therapy research.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and analysis of published research on cupping therapy from the past five years.
• Categorization of studies based on therapeutic applications, clinical evidence, mechanism research, adverse events, and standardization.
• Bibliometric analysis to assess global research output and trends.

Main Results:

• Cupping therapy demonstrates potential applicability across a wide range of curable diseases.
• Clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of cupping therapy remains limited and requires enhancement.
• Progress has been made in elucidating the mechanisms of cupping therapy, though further research is necessary.
• Adverse events associated with cupping therapy are increasingly recognized and documented.
• Emerging efforts towards the standardization of cupping therapy techniques and protocols are evident.

Conclusions:

• Cupping therapy holds potential for diverse medical conditions but necessitates robust clinical validation.
• Continued research into the mechanisms and standardization of cupping therapy is essential.
• Addressing and managing adverse events is critical for the safe and effective application of cupping therapy.