Imagine dealing with plaque psoriasis, a condition that can leave your skin red, itchy, and covered in patches. It affects many people and can be tough to treat, often leading to frustration and discomfort. A new study explored sliding cupping therapy, a traditional Chinese medicine technique, as a potential alternative to narrowband ultraviolet light therapy, a common treatment. Over eight weeks, patients received either cupping or light therapy, and both groups experienced significant improvements in their skin condition. In fact, about 70% of patients in both groups reported positive changes. This means that for those who may not respond well to traditional treatments or prefer alternative options, sliding cupping therapy could be a viable choice. However, while the results are promising, it's important to remember that not every treatment works for everyone. Patients should discuss all available options with their healthcare providers to find the best approach for their needs.
Could Sliding Cupping Therapy Be a Game-Changer for Psoriasis Patients?
Plain Language Summary
What this means for you:
Sliding cupping therapy offers hope for psoriasis patients seeking effective treatment alternatives. What this means for you:
Sliding cupping therapy offers hope for psoriasis patients seeking effective treatment alternatives. View Original Abstract ↓
BACKGROUND: The sliding cupping therapy represents a traditional Chinese medicine therapy and receives much appreciation for treating plaque psoriasis. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that sliding cupping therapy is non-inferior to narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) therapy in improving disease severity in patients with plaque psoriasis.
METHODS: This prospective study recruited 60 patients with plaque psoriasis who were randomized to receive either sliding cupping intervention or NBUVB treatment. The cup was moved 30 times for each skin lesion until the target skin area turned purple. The initial dose (mJ/cm2) of ultraviolet radiation b (UVB) was determined based on sun-reactive skin types I through VI, which ranged from 300 mJ/cm2 to 800 mJ/cm2. Both treatments were performed 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percentage reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score at week 8, with secondary endpoints, including Physician's Global Assessment (PGA), body surface area, visual analogue scale scores, and quality of life measures.
RESULTS: The total response rates were 69.23% (18/26) and 79.17% (19/24) for patients receiving sliding cupping intervention and those receiving NBUVB treatment, respectively, which showed no significant difference (P = .526). The PASI scores, body surface area, and PGA were reduced in patients with plaque psoriasis at W0, W4 and W8 after either sliding cupping intervention or NBUVB treatment (P <.001), and these reductions were not significantly different between the patients receiving sliding cupping intervention and those receiving NBUVB treatment at W0, W4, W8, and W12. At W8, the mean percentage reduction in PASI was 62.4% (95% CI, 54.9-69.8) in the sliding cupping group and 66.9% (95% CI, 59.6-74.2) in the NBUVB group, with no significant difference between groups. The total response rates were 69.23% (18/26) and 79.17% (19/24), respectively (P = .526). Patients receiving sliding cupping intervention and those receiving NBUVB treatment did not show statistically significant differences in these outcomes at W0, W4, W8, and W12 (P >.05).
CONCLUSION: The overall results suggest that sliding cupping therapy exhibits statistically similar efficacy and safety profiles as NBUVB treatment, especially at 8 weeks after treatment.