Efficacy of Dry Cupping on Urinary Incontinence in Women

Cupping is one of those types of so-called alternative medicine (SCAM) that have been used for centuries, in many cultures and for most conditions. So, why not also for incontinence?

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common condition that affects people of all ages worldwide and can lead to social isolation, low self-esteem, and depression if not treated successfully. The present randomized clinical clinical trial aimed to compare the efficacy of dry cupping and tolterodine in controlling UI in women.

The study included a total of 73 women, 36 in the dry cupping group and 37 in the tolterodine group. During the six weeks intervention, the tolterodine group received 2mg of tolterodine twice daily, while the dry cupping group underwent two sessions of dry cupping in the right and left lower quadrant area every week. The severity of UI and the quality of life of patients were evaluated using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire—Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and the Incontinence Quality of Life (IQOL) questionnaire at the beginning of the study, at weeks 3, 6, and 4 weeks after the end of the intervention (week 10).

The results showed that UI symptoms improved significantly in the dry cupping group compared to the tolterodine group. According to ICIQ-SF, The effect of dry cupping on the total score (mean difference: -6.72, 95 % CI: -9.26 to -4.17), the frequency of urine leakage (mean difference: -1.52, 95 % CI: -2.18 to -0.85), and the quality of life (mean difference: -3.68, 95 % CI: -4.96 to -2.40) were significant throughout the study and the follow-up period, at week 10. No adverse events were reported.

The authors concluded that, based on the results of the present study and considering the adverse events of the tolterodine use, dry cupping can be suggested as a therapeutic modality for women suffering from UI.

Really?

Who would make such a far-reaching recommendation on the back of such a flimsy trial?

• The study was tiny.
• There was no control or a placebo effect which can be expected to be substantial for dry cupping.
• Tolterodine is not hugely effective either.
• The treatment period was short and long-term results are unknown.

So, who would make such a far-reaching recommendation on the back of such a flimsy study? The researchers have the following affiliations:

• Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
• Persian Medicine Network (PMN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
• Food Microbiology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
• Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

I cannot say that these affiliations boost my trust in dry cupping as a therapeutic modality for women suffering from UI!