Asian Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

A clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Hijamat-bila-shart (dry cupping) on non-specific neck pain and its potential role in improving the health-related quality of life

Shazia Anjum, Atiya Anjum, Shazia Jilani, Javed Jameel, M. Junaid Siddiqui

Department of Tahaffuzi-wa-Samaji Tibb', Department of Moalijat’, Faculty of Medicine (Unani), Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
Department of Tahaffuzi-wa-Samaji Tibb, A & U Tibbia College, Karol Bagh, New Delhi‘ Department of Orthopedics, HIMSR, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi

Abstract

Background: The study is an open, clinical study done with the aim to evaluate the effect of /tijamaf-Sila-s/tarf (dry cupping) in relieving non specific neck pain and its potential role in improving the health related quality of life.

Material & Methods: 46 subjects of neck pain were screened, of which 31 subjects were diagnosed as having non-specific neck pain and were included in the study. However, one subject was lost to follow up and only 30 subjects completed the study. The study participants were given 6 sessions of fiijamaI- bila-shart (dry cupping) therapy over a period of 2 weeks. The outcome measures were assessed before (i.e. day 0) and after treatment (i.e. day 14), after one week of treatment free period (i.e. day 21). The outcome assessment measures were pain intensity (at rest & related to movement), neck disability and health-related quality of life which were assessed with the help of VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), NDI (Neck Disability Index) and SF l2v2 respectively.

Results: VAS for pain at rest was 57.3 + 11.9 (mean+ SD) at baseline which decreased to 11.3 + 7.3 (mean+ SD) after treatment. Similarly, VAS for pain related to movement was 61.1 + 8.5 (mean+ SD) at baseline which decreased to 13 + 7.1 (mean+ SD) after treatment. The mean score of NDI at baseline was 15.3

+ 4.6 (mean+ SD) which was reduced to 3.8 + 2.9 after treatment. The mean PCS of SF12v2 was found to be 37 + 4.3 at baseline and 48.6 + 5.1 at day 14. The mean MCS of SFl2v2 was found to be 39.6 + 10.4 at baseline and 50.8 + 6.8 at day 14. The subjects were also assessed after 1 week follow-up (treatment free period), which showed further decrease in pain. No adverse effects had been reported by any of the study subjects during the study period.

Conclusion: The results of the study concluded that /tijamaf-Sila-scarf (dry cupping) therapy is considerably effective in relieving non-specific neck pain and improving the health-related quality of life. The follow up also showed sustained pain free status, exhibiting the long-term beneficial effects of the therapy.

Key words: non-specific neck pain, /tijamaf-Sila-scarf, dry cupping, VAS, NDI, quality of life

Keywords:

clinical study