Wet Cupping Therapy Improves the Parameters of Ventricular Repolarization

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Integrative Medicine
• Electrocardiography

Background:

• Cupping therapy (CT) is an ancient medical practice used for various conditions, including inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
• Ventricular repolarization, assessed by QT and corrected-QT (QTc) intervals, is crucial in cardiovascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of CT on novel ventricular repolarization parameters: Tpeak-to-Tend (Tp-Te) interval, and Tp-Te/QT and Tp-Te/QTc ratios.
• To determine if these parameters, potentially better indicators of arrhythmia risk, change significantly after CT in healthy individuals.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 120 healthy participants (mean age 49.0 ± 13.0 years).
• Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded one hour before and one hour after CT.
• Comparison of ECG parameters, including Tp-Te, Tp-Te/QT, Tp-Te/QTc, QT, and QTc intervals.

Main Results:

• Significant decreases were observed in the Tp-Te interval, Tp-Te/QT ratio, and Tp-Te/QTc ratio one hour post-CT.
• No significant changes were found in mean heart rate, QT interval, QTc interval, or other measured ECG parameters.

Conclusions:

• CT may exert a cardioprotective effect by favorably altering ventricular repolarization.
• Larger-scale prospective studies are necessary to validate these preliminary findings and explore clinical implications.