Investigation of Wet Cupping Therapy on Heavy Metal Levels of Steel Industry Workers

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This interventional study investigates the efficacy of Wet cupping therapy on heavy metal levels.The levels of the selected heavy metals will be measured in the blood samples obtained from the participants before and after the interventions

Detailed Description
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Wet cupping therapy (WCT) is a traditional therapy which was used for centuries especially for detoxifiying purposes.Current literature also points out its blood clarifiying capacity in order to illuminate the underlying mechanism of this ancient treatment. Steel industry workers, different from the general population are exposed to heavy metals more often.Conducting a study in this special group where we will evaluate the levels of selected heavy metals in blood before and after the three sessions of WCT might let us know its detoxifiying capacity based on measurable parameters.

Official Title
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Investigation of Wet Cupping Therapy on Heavy Metal Levels of Steel Industry Workers: A Self Controlled Interventional Study

Conditions
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Heavy Metal Toxicity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Wet cupping therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy individuals Iron and Steel industry workers Exclusion Criteria: having any chronic disorder being on daily medication wet cupping application in the last 6 months

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Wet Cupping<br>wet cupping therapy will be applied to all participants | Procedure: Wet cupping therapy<br>* CT was applied using plastic disposable vacuum cups on the back in the 5 areas of C7 cervical spine (DU14 acupoint), T2-4 lateral spine bilaterally (BL41-42 acupoint) and T6-8 lateral spine bilaterally (BL44-46). The cupping technique procedure was conducted in five phases: Primary suction; cups are left attached to the skin for 5 minutes. Area disinfection; areas are wiped with sterile gauze after disinfection with povidone iodine. Scarification; Superficial incisions (20-30 gauge), 5 mm length and 1-2 mm depth, are made on the skin with a sterile, number 11 surgical blade. Bloodletting and secondary suction; the cups which had been previously removed are placed again on the scarified areas Blood leaks from the capillary vessels of the skin and subcutaneous tissue and fills the cups, which are left in place for 15 minutes. Removing and dressing; the cups full of blood are removed. The areas of application are wiped with sterile gauze and then a dressing is applied<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Levels of the selected heavy metals in venous blood samples before and after the interventions | the levels of the calculated heavy metals will be in ppm | 3 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Levels of the selected heavy metals in cupping blood samples obtained during the first intervention | the levels of the calculated heavy metals will be in ppm | 1 month | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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heavy metal, wet cupping therapy, steel industry worker