Cupping therapy combined with SSRIs in patients with depression
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN16299848 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16299848 |
| Protocol serial number | PZ2017014 |
| Sponsor | Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University |
| Funder | Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals |
- Submission date
- 06/03/2018
- Registration date
- 27/03/2018
- Last edited
- 07/11/2022
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, affecting 8-20% of the worldwide population during their lives. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are first-line pharmacotherapy for depressive disorders. But there is still a large portion of patients failed to achieve a full response and suffered from relapse and side effect. As an alternative non-drug therapeutic technique, cupping therapy may offer a option to enhance the efficacy of SSRIs. Cupping therapy is based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and has been practiced for thousands of years. The WHO's definition of cupping is a therapeutic method involving the application of suction by creating vacuum. According to ancient TCM classic, depression is a consequence of “brain shen disorder” and “unbalance of qi and blood”. Cupping therapy on the back is considered to regulate Du and Bladder meridian. Du meridian is directly connected to brain and can regulate “brain shen”. The acu-points of wuzang-shu (BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23) on the Bladder meridian are key points to restore “qi and blood”. So cupping therapy on Du meridian and wuzang-shu acu-pionts is considered to be beneficial to relief depression by regulating “brain shen” and rebalance “qi and blood”. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of using cupping therapy to help patients with depression.
Who can participate?
Patients aged from 18 to 65 are welcomed to participate.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be divided into two groups. One will receive SSRIs while the other will receive SSRIs combined with cupping therapy.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Possible benefits include less depressive experience and less side effects. The risk of taking part is minimal. Cupping therapy is a very safe treatment when given by well-trained doctors. Occasionally people having cupping therapy may feel faint or have a temporary pain during treatment.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study starts from 1/1/2017 and lasts for 3 years in Beijing Hospital of TCM (single center study).
Who is funding the study?
Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals (China)
Who is the main contact?
Ms. Jiang is the main contact. The e-mail address is jiangmolin1104@sina.com.
Contact information
Scientific
Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, No. 23 Backstreet Gallery, Dongcheng District
Beijing
100010
China
| Phone | 0086-010-52176757 |
|---|---|
| jiangmolin1104@sina.com |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-centre interventional randomised controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | An 8-week randomised controlled trial with 16-week follow-up of cupping therapy combined with SSRIs in patients with depression |
| Study objectives | Adjuvant cupping therapy provides both short-term and long-lasting enhancement of the antidepressant effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), as well as reduction of side effects. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Research Ethical Committee of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 05/05/2017, 2017BL-012-02. |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Depression |
| Intervention | Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: SSRIs alone (control group) or combined with cupping therapy (treatment group). Control group: Participants will receive SSRIs orally for 8 weeks, including sertraline, fluoxetine, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, citalopram and escitalopram. The dosage will depend on the participant's situation according to the guideline. During 16 weeks of follow-up, participants are asked to continue taking SSRIs. Treatment group: Participants will receive SSRIs as for the control group as well as cupping therapy. The cupping therapy includes three steps: 1. Flash-cupping. Suction (vacuum) will be created in the cup using a flame. Then the cup will be applied to the du and bladder meridians and quickly moved away. 2. Moving-cupping. The cup applied to the back will be moved back and forth along the du and bladder meridians several times. 3. Retain-cupping. After the cup has been moved away, flaming heat will be used again to create a vacuum in the cup. Then the cup will be applied to the wuzhangshu acu-point and retained for 5 min. The cupping therapy will be once a week for 8 weeks in total. |
| Intervention type | Mixed |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Clinical response rate defined as ≥50% reduction from baseline on 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17 measured at 8 weeks (endpoint) and 24 weeks (follow-up point). |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Change from baseline in HAMD-17 score from baseline at weeks 2, 4, 8 (endpoint) and week 24 (follow-up). |
| Completion date | 31/12/2019 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 60 |
| Total final enrolment | 72 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Diagnosis of depression using the International Classification of Disease (10th version) (ICD-10) 2. Aged 18-65 years 3. Moderate or severe depression with a score of ≥17 on HAMD-17 4. Current treatment with SSRIs or no medication 5. No cupping therapy during the previous 2 weeks 6. Patients agree to participant in this trial and assign the informed consent. |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Difficulty in communication 2. Severe suicidal risk (HAMD-17 suicidal item score=4) 3. History of dementia 4. History of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or have obvious psychotic symptoms. 5. History of alcohol or drug abuse within 12 months 6. Pregnancy or lactation |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/06/2017 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/06/2019 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- China
Study participating centre
Beijing
100010
China
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
07/11/2022: Total final enrolment added.
22/11/2021: The following changes have been made:
1. The publication and dissemination plan has been changed.
2. The IPD sharing statement has been added.
3. The intention to publish date has been changed from 31/12/2020 to 31/12/2022.
