Is cupping therapy effective in patients with neck pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis

18 randomized controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis which sought to evaluate the efficacy of cupping intervention for treatment of neck pain. Analyses were separated based on control group: inactive or active intervention. Compared to both inactive control intervention and active control interventions, there was low to very low strength evidence that cupping therapy significantly reduced pain and disability. In addition, when analyzed as an add-on therapy to active control, cupping therapy was associated with a significant reduction in pain when compared to active control alone, but no significant effect on disability was observed.