Interval Aerobic Exercise versus Cupping Therapy on Essential Hypertension in Women

Abstract Background: Exercise and cupping therapy has been suggested to be available treatment for hypertension. This study compares the effect of interval aerobic exercise versus cupping on essential hypertensive women.
Aim of the Study: To determine the effect of interval aerobic exercise versus cupping therapy on Essential Hyper-tensive women.
Subject and Methods: Thirty women had essential hyper-tension stage: 1 (140: 160mmHg systole-90-100mmHg dias-tole) were randomly assigned into two groups equal in number. Group (A) fifteen women received moderate intensity (aerobic interval) exercise (4 to 7) of modified 0-10 Borg scale, exercise session 15:20min, three times per week for a month. Group (B) fifteen women received cupping therapy session on six points in the neck and back 20min, one session at the beginning of a study month. Results: Significant reduction of systolic blood pressure at post-treatment in comparison to pre-treatment (p-value= 0.0001*). There was improvement of systolic blood pressure in group: A percent of change (improvement) was 13.79%. There was improvement of systolic blood pressure in Group B percent of change (improvement) was 11.5%, multiple pair wise comparison tests (post hoc tests) revealed that there was no significant difference of the mean values of the "post" test between both groups with (p=0.096). In spite of that there was no statistical significant difference between Group A and Group B, was clinical difference and high percent of improve-ment in favor to Group A. There was improvement of diastolic blood pressure in Group A and percent of change (improve-ment) was 11.96%. Multiple pair wise comparison tests (post hoc tests) revealed that there was significant reduction of diastolic blood pressure at post-treatment in compare to pre-treatment (p-value= 0.0001*) this mean there was improvement of diastolic blood pressure in Group B and percent of change (improvement) was 13.19%. In spite of there was no statistical significant difference between Group A and Group B, there was clinical difference and high percent of improvement in favor to Group B.
Conclusion: It was concluded that participation in aerobic interval exercise or cupping therapy have positive effect on blood pressure in stage one essential hypertensive women and can be used as alternative treatment modalities.