Suction Cups on Nonspecific Lumbar Pain Intensity in Adults: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Cupping therapy has been used for therapeutic purposes indicated for pain reduction. However, its effect is still not fully clear compared to placebo or another treatment. The objective was to determine the effectiveness of cupping in adults through a systematic review of the available literature on its application in the intensity of non-specific low back pain. Materials and method: Systematic review of the literature using the databases: Pubmed, Web of Science, PEDro, ScienceDirect and Cochrane, and a manual search. Selection criteria: Randomized clinical trials comparing cupping with another type of intervention or control group in older people with non-specific low back pain. A data collection and analysis carried out by 2 independent reviewers, the methodological quality was assessed by PEDro scale and risk of bias assessment was applied according to the Cochrane Handbook version 5.1.0. Results: 5 studies out of 303 potentials were included. Pain cupping did not differ significantly compared to sham cupping; however, when compared to placebo, conventional treatment, or hot packs, all are effective interventions, but not superior to cupping. Conclusions: The medium methodological quality and the risk of bias of the studies reduce the authenticity of the findings; therefore, it cannot be affirmed that the use of suction cups is an intervention that generates changes in non-specific low back pain, it is necessary to increase the quality of the interventions and establish standardized application protocols.