Clinical effect of scraping therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis

Objective:The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of scraping therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.Materials and Methods:A total of eighty patients with knee osteoarthritis were assigned to the moxibustion group and the scraping therapy group according to the random numerical table method,with forty cases in each group.Patients in both two groups received functional exercise and moxibustion therapy,and those in the scraping therapy group were supplemented with scraping therapy.The serum indexes of interleukin‑1(IL‑1),IL‑6,tumor necrosis factor‑alpha(TNF‑α),and superoxide dismutase(SOD)were detected before and after the treatment.The clinical syndrome integral and Visual Analog Scale(VAS)on pain of patients were assessed.The clinical therapeutic efficacy was evaluated and compared between the two groups.Results:Patients in the scraping therapy group received better outcomes of serum IL‑1,IL‑6,TNF‑α,and SOD compared with those in the moxibustion group at 2 months after treatment(P<0.05).The scores of clinical syndrome integral and VAS on pain were decreased in two groups at 2 months after the treatment and were lower in the scraping therapy group than those in the moxibustion group(P<0.05).The overall effective rate in the scraping therapy group was higher than that in the control group(87.50%vs.67.50%,P<0.05).Conclusion:The scraping therapy is potentially effective to ameliorate the clinical symptom and pain degree of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Efficacy of scraping therapy on blood pressure and sleep quality in stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ essential hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Scraping therapy is widely used in treating stage I and II essential hypertension in China.However,there has been no systematic evaluation of the efficacy of scraping therapy on blood pressure and sleep quality in stage I and II essential hypertension.Search strategy Seven electronic databases(PubMed,Scopus,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,EBSCO,China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data electronic databases)were searched from inception to December 2022.Based on the principle of combining subject words with text words,the search strategy was constructed around search terms for“scraping therapy,”“scraping,”“Guasha,”“Gua sha,”“hypertension,”and“high blood pressure”during the database searches.Inclusion criteria Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)were included if they recruited patients with stage I and II essential hypertension and included a scraping therapy intervention.The intervention group received antihypertensive drugs and scraping therapy,while the control group only took antihypertensive drugs.Data extraction and analysis Review Manager 5.4.0 and STATA 15.1 were used to enter all the relevant outcome variables to conduct the meta-analysis.The quality of the selected RCTs was assessed using the PEDro scale.The sensitivity analysis was carried out by iteratively excluding individual studies and repeating the analysis to determine the stability of the findings and identify any studies with greater influence on the outcome.Subgroup analysis was performed to find the source of heterogeneity.Funnel plots were used to evaluate the publication bias of included studies.Results Nine RCTs including 765 participants were selected.Meta-analysis showed that scraping therapy combined with medication had an advantage over the use of medication alone in lowering systolic blood pressure(mean difference[MD]=?5.09,95%confidence interval[CI]=?6.50 to?3.67,P<0.001)and diastolic blood pressure(MD=?2.66,95%CI=?3.17 to?2.14,P<0.001).Subgroup analysis showed that scraping therapy improved sleep quality in middle-aged patients with hypertension,but the efficacy was better in elderly patients(MD=?7.91,95%CI=?8.65 to?7.16,P<0.001)than in middle-aged patients(MD=?2.67,95%CI=?4.12 to?1.21,P=0.0003).Conclusion The available evidence indicates that scraping therapy has significant effects on patients with stage I and II hypertension,and it improves sleep quality for elderly patients with hypertension better than for middle-aged ones.Scraping therapy can be an adjunctive treatment for stage I and II essential hypertension.However,further high-quality studies are needed to verify its effectiveness and the best therapeutic strategies.

Short-term effects of cupping and scraping therapy for chronic nonspecific low-back pain:A prospective,multicenter randomized trial

Background As one of the most common musculoskeletal ailments,chronic nonspecific low-back pain(CNLBP)causes persistent disability and substantial medical expenses.Epidemiological evidence shows that the incidence rate of CNLBP in young and middle-aged people who are demanded rapidly recovery and social contribution is rising.Recent guidelines indicate a reduced role for medicines in the management of CNLBP.Objective The present study investigates the short-term effects of cupping and scraping therapy using a medicated balm,compared to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug(NSAID)with a capsaicin plaster,in the treatment of CNLBP.Design,setting,participants and interventions We designed a prospective multicenter randomized clinical trial enrolling patients from January 1,2022 to December 31,2022.A total of 156 patients with CNLBP were randomized into two parallel groups.Diclofenac sodium-sustained release tablets were administered orally to participants in the control group for one week while a capsaicin plaster was applied externally.Patients in the test group were treated with cupping and scraping using a medical device and medicated balm.Main outcome measures Primary outcome was pain recorded using the visual analogue scale(VAS).Two secondary outcomes were recorded using the Japanese Orthopedic Association low-back pain scale(JOA)and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome integral scale(TCMS)as assessment tools.Results Between baseline and postintervention,all changes in outcome metric scales were statistically significant(P<0.001).Compared to the control group,patients in the test group had a significantly greater treatment effect in all outcome variables,as indicated by lower VAS and TCMS scores and higher JOA scores,after the one-week intervention period(P<0.001).Further,according to the findings of multivariate linear regression analysis,the participants’pain(VAS score)was related to their marital status,age,smoking habits and body mass index.No adverse reactions were reported for any participants in this trial.Conclusion The effectiveness of TCM combined with the new physiotherapy tool is superior to that of NSAID combined with topical plasters,regarding to pain intensity,TCM symptoms and quality of life.The TCM plus physiotherapy also showed more stable and long-lasting therapeutic effects.

Effect of scraping therapy on Interleukin-1 in serum of rats with lumbar disc herniation

OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of scraping therapy on the Interleukin-1 (IL-1) levels of rats with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). METHODS: Fifty male rats were devided into a blank group (A), a sham operation group (B), a model group (C), a scraping group (D), and a drug group (E). The rats in the group B were treated with sham operation, and groups C, D and E were made into the LDH model by operation. After operation group C were treated with no interventions, D were given scraping and E were fed with azathioprine Then the IL-1 levels of different groups were detected by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay method. And the transplanted coccygeal vertebra discs were observed by pathological section. RESULTS: The IL-1 levels in the groups C, D, and E were significantly higher than those in the groups A and B (all P<0.01), which proved the operationwas successful.The IL-1 levels in the groups D and E at different periods had statistical significance (F= 414.158, P<0.01). The treatment periods and interventions have interation (F=46.613, P<0.01). Multiple comparison results showed that the IL-1 levels in the groups D and E was significantly lower than that in the group C (P<0.01), while the IL-1 levels between the groups D and E had no statistical significance (P>0.05). Moreover, pathological section indicated that immuno-inflammatory response was hardly found in coccygeal vertebra discs in the groups A and B, while local immuno-inflammatory responses of the groups D and E were much lighter than that of the group C. CONCLUSION: Scraping therapy could inhibit the immuno-inflammatory responses in the rats with LDH caused by transplantation of autologous nu cleus pulposus.

Effect of scraping therapy on weightlifting ability

OBJECTIVE:To verify the effects of scraping therapy on the weightlifting ability by measuring the subjective sensation,and changes of biomarkers.METHODS:Five students,who have been trained for 3 years in a sport school in China were participated in this study.A course of scraping therapy was applied to intervene during the normal 7-week of weightlifting training programme.The ability of weightlifting,the scale of rating perceived exertion and serum biochemical markers were measured before and after the intervention.RESULTS:Scraping therapy caused a significant increase in weightlifting ability(P<0.05).The level of rating perceived exertion remained stable with the increase in the training volume.Immuno-globulinA was significantly increased(P<0.05),and creatine kinase and blood urea nitrogen were significantly decreased(P<0.05).No significant changes were observed in white blood cell,neutrophil,and testosterone.CONCLUSION:Scraping therapy may facilitate weightlifting ability mainly by decreasing weight sensation and improving serum biochemical parameters.

Effect of scraping therapy on Th1/Th2 balance in rats with lumbar disc herniation

Objective:To observe the effect of scraping therapy(ST)on the immune balance of serum helper T(Th)1/Th2 cells in autologous nucleus pulposus transplantation non-compressive lumbar disc herniation(LDH)model rats,and explore the immune mechanism of ST in reducing LDH pain.Methods:Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into a model group,a sham operation group and a ST group,with 24 rats in each group.Autologous nucleus pulposus transplantation non-compressive LDH models were established in the model group and ST group,while the rats in the sham operation group underwent sham operation without model establishment.On the fifth day after the model was successfully prepared,rats in the ST group received ST,once every other day,3 times as a course for a total of 3 courses.Six rats in each group were randomly selected to observe their pain thresholds,and peripheral blood of the rats was collected before the first scraping treatment and at the end of the first,second,and third courses of treatment.The serum was isolated and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was applied for the detection of rat serum interferon(IFN)-γ,interleukin(IL)-4 and IL-10.Results:Compared with the model group,the pain threshold in LDH rats in the ST group increased(P<0.05),the serum IFN-γlevel was significantly reduced(P<0.05),but the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 did not change significantly(both P>0.05).At the end of the second and third courses of treatment,the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was negatively correlated with the pain threshold in the rats,and the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was significantly reduced in the ST group(P<0.01).Conclusion:ST can help suppress the Th1 immunity in LDH rats triggered by the autologous nucleus pulposus,restore the immune balance of Th1/Th2,and reduce the pain of LDH.

Scraping therapy for treating the perimenopausal syndrome

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of scraping therapy in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome(PMS).Methods:Thirty recruited PMS subjects were treated with scraping therapy in the Outpatient Department,Acupuncture-Moxibustion Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,at the areas including Shéntíng(神庭GV24)-Běihuì(百会GV20),Qìhǎi(气海CV6)-Guānyuán(关元CV4),Zǐgōng(子宫EXCA1),Zúsānlǐ(足三里ST36)-Xiàjùxū(下巨虚ST39),Dìjī(地机SP8)-Sányīnjiāo(三阴交SP6),Tàichōng(太冲LR3)-Xíngjiān(行间LR2),Gānshū(肝俞BL18)-Dǎnshū(胆俞BL19),Píshū(脾俞BL20)-Wèishū(胃俞BL21),and Sānjiāoshū(三焦俞BL 22)-Shènshū(肾俞BL 23),with an even reinforcing-reducing method.Before and after treatment,the serum follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),and estradiol(E_(2)) were tested.And before treatment and at the 4 th week,8 th week,and 12 th week of treatment,the Kupperman index(KI) and menopause-specific quality of life questionnaire(MENQOL) symptom scores were recorded for evaluating the clinical efficacy.Results:Comparing with before treatment,the modified Kupperman symptom scores were all decreased after treatment,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);all symptoms were relieved significantly after treatment,the difference was statistically significant(all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in serum E_(2),FSH,and LH levels after treatment(all P>0.05);the total effective rate was 85.71%after the 4 weeks’ treatment,96.42% after the 8 weeks’ treatment,and 96.42% after the 12 weeks’ treatment.Conclusion:Scraping therapy can relieve the PMS symptoms to some extent.It can improve the life quality of PMS subjects.Its influence on the estrogen levels of PMS subjects was not obvious.

Curative effect of scraping therapies on lumbar muscle strain

OBJECTIVE:To explore factors influencing the curative effect of scraping therapies (at acupoints or along channels) and to determine the relationship of scraping site and strength to curative effect. METHODS: Two hundred and ten patients with lumbar muscle strain were divided into five groups with 42 patients each.The "scraping therapy at acupoint until appearance of skin eruptions" and "scraping therapy along channel until appearance of skin eruptions" groups were treated with a 4-daycourse. The "scraping therapy at acupoint without appearance of skin eruptions", "scraping therapy along channel without appearance of skin eruptions", and acupuncture groups were treated with a 2-day course.The five groups were treated with seven courses. The visual analog scale (VAS), oswestry disability index (ODI), and lumbago scores were recorded in the five groups before treatment, after each treatment, and in follow-up visits one month and three months after treatment. RESULTS: VAS, ODI, and lumbago scores after treatment improved in the five groups (P<0.01). There was a statistical difference (P<0.01) in the change of VAS scores by appearance of skin eruptions and scraping site. CONCLUSION: Scraping therapy can effectively alleviate lumbago symptoms. The appearance of skin eruptions and scraping therapy along channels can enhance the curative effect of scraping therapy.

Effects of Guasha on histomorphology of scraped skins and on expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P in rats

OBJECTIVE:To reveal the effects of Guasha(scraping therapy) on the histomorphology of scraped skins and on the expressions of calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) and substance P(SP).METHODS:50 rats,as experimental subjects,were randomly divided into 5 groups according to different observation time points.Dorsal setae were shaved for the exposure of skin on both sides of the spine.Even reinforcing and reducing method was applied to the rats in Guasha groups on the site equivalent to bladder meridian of human body on one side of the spine,and the skin was scraped from top to bottom until rash of measles occurred.The skin tissues with rash of measles were taken down after perfusion.The corresponding sites of rats in group A were also taken down as control.The tissues were made to sections and used for immunofluorescence histochemical staining and HE staining of antibodies such as SP and CGRP.RESULTS:After Guasha,there were significant differences in appearance,hair follicle and blood vessel on local skin scraped on the back of rats when compared with control;In different time points,the differences reduced.There was no significant difference in expression of CGRP and SP when compared local skin scraped on the back of rats in different time points.CONCLUSION:Guasha didn't significantly change the morphology of nerve fibers inside local skin,and the histomorphology of hair follicle,blood vessel and etc.However,after Guasha they basically returned to normal level within five days.

Guasha improves the rating of perceived exertion scale score and reduces heart rate variability in male weightlifters:a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Guasha therapy on the rating of perceived exertion(RPE) scale score, and heart rate variability(HRV).METHODS: A randomized controlled trial of Guasha(skin scraping) was compared with a sham scraping group and control group. Sixteen sessions within an 8-week period were completed. Sixty-five male weightlifters who had undergone normal weightlifting training for a mean of 5 years before study commencement were recruited. The RPEscale score of "snatch", "clean and jerk" maneuvers(85% of one-repetition maximum), and HRV were measured before and after the intervention.RESULTS: The RPE scale score for snatch, clean and jerk were reduced significantly after intervention in the Guasha group and sham group. However, there was a significant difference in the low frequency(LF) domain and LF/high frequency(HF) ratio(P <0.05): the LF domain decreased, and the LF/HF ratio decreased.CONCLUSION: Guasha could be used to reduce the RPE scale score, and increase the response to HRV.Guasha could be considered as an alternative to some types of recovery from sports training.