Efeito da ventosaterapia seca associada ao método mckenzie em pacientes com dor lombar crônica: protocolo para um ensaio randomizado controlado por sham

Abstract

Background: Although exercise is a first-line approach to treating chronic low back pain (CLBP) in clinical practice, passive techniques such as dry cupping therapy are considered complementary to this condition. However, knowledge about the effects of combining dry cupping therapy with active exercises in people with non-specific CLBP is shallow. Objective: To develop a protocol for a sham-controlled, randomized and blind clinical trial to evaluate the additional effects of cupping therapy in association with McKenzie method (MDT) on disability and clinical outcomes in individuals with non-specific CLBP. Methods: Eighty-eight people with non-specific CLBP aging 18 to 59 years will be recruited and evaluated for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants will be randomized into intervention (MDT and dry cupping therapy) or sham group (MDT and sham dry cupping therapy). Dry cupping therapy will be applied bilaterally to the vertebrae (L1 to L5). Interventions will be performed twice a week for eight weeks, and participants will be assessed before treatment (T0), immediately after the first intervention (T1), and at four (T4) and eight weeks of intervention (T8). Primary outcomes will be disability (Oswestry Disability Index). Secondary outcomes will be functionality (Timed Up and Go Test), pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), trunk range of motion (Toe-touch Test) and participant expectation and perception (Global Perceived Effect Scale). Discussion: Despite recent research, there is no consensus in the literature regarding the effectiveness of dry cupping therapy in the treatment of people with non-specific CLBP. Also, no study with high methodological rigor has evaluated the combination of dry cupping therapy with active exercise in this population and whether this combination potentiates any clinical effect. Thus, this protocol may guide further research to support the prescription of exercise combined with dry cupping therapy in people with non-specific CLBP. The results of the study will be disseminated to participants through social networks and will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and scientific meetings