Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Geleneksel ve Tamamlayıcı Tıp Dergisi , cilt.8, sa.2, ss.88-96, 2025 (TRDizin)
There is increasing interest in complementary treatment methods for knee osteoarthritis. There are a limited studies on the effectiveness of cupping therapy, in treating knee osteoarthritis. This study aimed to compare the short- and medium-term effectiveness of physical medicine and rehabilitation, wet cupping and exercise therapies in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in relieving pain and improving physical function. Material and Methods: Ninety patients with knee osteoarthritis were divided into 3 groups (n=30 per group). The 1st group received physical therapy and rehabilitation for 15 sessions, and the 2nd group received wet cupping therapy for 2 sessions 15 days apart. The 1st and 2nd groups were also given 12 weeks of home exercise therapy. Patients in the 3rd group were given a home exercise treatment program for 12 weeks. To compare the effects of therapies, visual analogue scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), range of motion (ROM) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) scores, which have important predictive values in knee osteoarthritis, were evaluated. Results: All three treatments improved the majority of the scores investigated at both week 4 and week 12. Cupping treatment was more effective than other treatments in terms of the VAS-rest score, VAS-movement score, WOMAC-stiffness score, WOMAC-total score, ROM-active score, and ROM-passive score in the 4th week. This effect continued for the WOMAC-total and ROM-passive parameters in the 12th week. Conclusion: Wet cupping treatment is more favorable than physical therapy in terms of fewer treatment sessions and better outcomes. Therefore, wet cupping therapy can be used effectively as an alternative to physical therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis where possible