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Abstract

Background & objectives: Fatigue is one of the most common complaints in the population and a normal response to physical exertion or stress, but can also be a sign of a physical disorder. Besides taking rest and massage therapy, various other modalities have been employed to combat severe or perpetual fatigue. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of wet cupping therapy (WCT) in general body fatigue.
Methodology: We used a quasi-experimental design, a purposive sampling technique (non-probability) for sampling methods. A total of 50 participants from both genders were included. All participants were aged between 20 and 50 years and completed the questionnaire as a self-report measure. Data collection took place in multiple private nursing clinics, selected from different locations and during varied time intervals, to ensure broader coverage and accessibility. Individuals presenting with general body fatigue were identified and invited to report to clinical settings. Socio-demographic information, general health status, and score on a 10-point Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree), were recorded and documented for each participant. Based upon these observations, the fatigue severity was classified as low or severe fatigue.
The study’s aims and the intended procedures were clearly explained, and only those who voluntarily agreed to participate and fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the final sample.
Results: WCT was effective in alleviating fatigue in the participants of this study. There was a highly significant difference between pre- and post-wet cupping, as the percentage of participants with low fatigue assessment fell from 38% to 74%, and in participants with severe fatigue, it decreased from 18% to 0%.
Conclusion: Wet cupping therapy has a statistically significant positive effect on reducing general fatigue among participants. The post-treatment assessments indicated a marked improvement in fatigue levels, highlighting the therapeutic potential of this traditional intervention in managing non-specific fatigue symptoms.
Abbreviations: CAM: complementary and alternative medicine, FSS: Fatigue Severity Scale, WCT: wet cupping therapy,
Keywords: General Fatigue; Hijama; Likert scale; Purposive sampling technique; Traditional Complementary Medicine; Wet Cupping Therapy
Citation: Aziz AA, Falah MA. Wet cupping therapy is effective in alleviating general body fatigue. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2025;29(6):588-593.
DOI: 10.35975/apic.v29i6.2918
Received: July 20, 2025; Revised: August 22, 2025; Accepted: August 27, 2025