Using multi-channel near-infrared spectroscopy to assess the effect of cupping therapy on the spatial hemodynamic response of the biceps muscle: A preliminary study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Li, Yameng^{a; b} | Mo, Pu-Chun^a | Peng, Fang^c | Guo, Jiaqi^a | Sheng, Zhongzhen^d | Lyu, Shaojun^b | Jan, Yih-Kuen^{a; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, Rehabilitation Engineering Lab, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA | [b] College of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China | [c] Department of Physical Education, Peking University, Beijing, China | [d] College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Yih-Kuen Jan, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 906 S Goodwin Ave, 288 Freer Hall, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. E-mail: yjan@illinois.edu.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The local hemodynamic response after cupping therapy has been considered as a contributing factor for improving muscle tissue health; however, the effects of cupping pressure and duration on the spatial hemodynamic response have not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the hemodynamic response inside and outside the cupping cup under various pressures and durations of cupping therapy. METHODS: A 3-way factorial design with repeated measures was used to investigate the main and interaction effects of the location (areas inside and outside the cup), pressure (-225 and -300 mmHg) and duration (5 and 10 min) on the hemodynamic response of the biceps muscle. A functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to assess hemodynamic changes in 18 participants. RESULTS: A significant three-way interaction of the location, pressure, and duration factors was observed in oxyhemoglobin (p= 0.023), deoxy-hemoglobin (p= 0.013), and blood volume (p= 0.013). A significant increase was observed in oxyhemoglobin, blood volume, and oxygenation compared to pre-cupping (p< 0.05) in the area outside the cup. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that an appropriate combination of cupping pressure and duration can effectively affect the spatial hemodynamic response of the biceps.

Keywords: Blood volume, dose response, hemoglobins, negative pressure, oxygen, oxyhemoglobins, skeletal muscle

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-230158

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 459-471, 2024