Cupping therapy significantly attenuated the decrease in sEMG sample entropy during repeated biceps curls compared to sham control, suggesting a beneficial effect on muscle recovery.
RCT (n=12)
Counter-balanced order
Does cupping therapy affect muscle fatigue and recovery as measured by sEMG signal regularity in healthy participants performing biceps curls?
Cupping therapy may reduce muscle fatigue and improve recovery as measured by the regularity of sEMG signals during dynamic contractions.
This study aimed to investigate the degree of regularity of surface electromyography (sEMG) signals during muscle fatigue during dynamic contractions and muscle recovery after cupping therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study assessing both muscle fatigue and muscle recovery using a nonlinear method. Twelve healthy participants were recruited to perform biceps curls at 75% of the 10 repetitions maximum under four conditions: immediately and 24 h after cupping therapy (−300 mmHg pressure), as well as after sham control (no negative pressure). Cupping therapy or sham control was assigned to each participant according to a pre-determined counter-balanced order and applied to the participant’s biceps brachii for 5 min. The degree of regularity of the sEMG signal during the first, second, and last 10 repetitions (Reps) of biceps curls was quantified using a modified sample entropy (Ems) algorithm. When exercise was performed immediately or 24 h after sham control, Ems of the sEMG signal showed a significant decrease from the first to second 10 Reps; when exercise was performed immediately after cupping therapy, Ems also showed a significant decrease from the first to second 10 Reps but its relative change was significantly smaller compared to the condition of exercise immediately after sham control. When exercise was performed 24 h after cupping therapy, Ems did not show a significant decrease, while its relative change was significantly smaller compared to the condition of exercise 24 h after sham control. These results indicated that the degree of regularity of sEMG signals quantified by Ems is capable of assessing muscle fatigue and the effect of cupping therapy. Moreover, this measure seems to be more sensitive to muscle fatigue and could yield more consistent results compared to the traditional linear measures.
Liao et al. (Thu,) conducted a rct in Healthy participants (muscle fatigue) (n=12). Cupping therapy vs. Sham control (no negative pressure) was evaluated on Degree of regularity of the sEMG signal (modified sample entropy, Ems) during biceps curls. Cupping therapy significantly attenuated the decrease in sEMG sample entropy during repeated biceps curls compared to sham control, suggesting a beneficial effect on muscle recovery.