title: Effects of wet-cupping on blood pressure in hypertensive patients: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although cupping remains a popular treatment modality worldwide, its efficacy for most diseases, including hypertension, has not been scientifically evaluated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to determine the efficacy of wet-cupping for high blood pressure, and the incidence of the procedure's side effects in the intervention group.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a randomized controlled trial conducted in the General Practice Department at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between May 2013 and February 2014. There were two groups (40 participants each): intervention group undergoing wet-cupping (hijama) in addition to conventional hypertension treatment, and a control group undergoing only conventional hypertension treatment. Three wet-cupping sessions were performed every other day.
  
  
  METHODS
  The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured using a validated automatic sphygmomanometer. The follow-up period was 8 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Wet-cupping provided an immediate reduction of systolic blood pressure. After 4 weeks of follow-up, the mean systolic blood pressure in the intervention group was 8.4 mmHg less than in the control group (P=0.046). After 8 weeks, there were no significant differences in blood pressures between the intervention and control groups. In this study, wet-cupping did not result in any serious side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Wet-cupping therapy is effective for reducing systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients for up to 4 weeks, without serious side effects. Wet-cupping should be considered as a complementary hypertension treatment, and further studies are needed.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01987583.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Administration, Ministry of Health, Jeddah 21333, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Nouran A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Aleyeidi
authors.affiliation: Community and Preventive Medicine Department, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah 21523, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Khaled S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Aseri
authors.affiliation: General Practice Department, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah 21411, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Shadia M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Matbouli
authors.affiliation: Aviation Medicine Department, Medical Services Directorate of Security Aviation Command, Jeddah 21333, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Albaraa A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sulaiamani
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Department, Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Sumayyah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kobeisy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged