title: Management of knee osteoarthritis with cupping therapy.
abstract: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of cupping therapy at a clinical setting for knee osteoarthritis. A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted. Cupping was performed on 0-6(th) day; 9-11(th) day and 14(th) day, i.e., 11 sittings follow-up to determine longer term carryover of treatment effects utilizing both objective and subjective assessment. The assessment was performed before and after treatment spreading over a period of 15 days. The results of this study shows significant and better results in the overall management of knee osteoarthritis, particularly in relieving pain, edema, stiffness and disability. The efficacy of treatment with cupping therapy in relieving signs and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis is comparable to that of acetaminophen 650 mg thrice a day orally, in terms of analgesia, anti-inflammatory and resolution of edema with minimal and temporary side-effects like echymosis and blister formation while as control drug has greater side-effects particularly on upper gastrointestinal tract. It is recommended that further studies are conducted with a larger study samples and of longer duration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Moalejat (Medicine), Faculty of Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Asim Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Moalejat (Medicine), Faculty of Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Umar
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jahangir
authors.affiliation: Literary Research Institute of Unani Medicine(LRIUM), Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Shaista
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Urooj
keywords: Cupping therapy; knee osteoarthritis; regimenal therapy