Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Wet Cupping Therapy as an Integrative Medicine Treatment for Subjective Tinnitus

142 participantsStarted 2026-07

Plain-language summary

Cupping therapy is an ancient complementary medicine therapy. It was a cornerstone in many ancient healing systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, Unani Medicine, Traditional Korean Medicine, and Islamic Medicine. Previous pilot randomized controlled trials reported promising effects of adding cupping therapy in the management of tinnitus and hearing loss. This trial aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of wet cupping as a complementary treatment in the management of chronic subjective tinnitus with or without hearing loss. Materials and Methods: The study participants will be 142 patients suffering from subjective and continuous tinnitus aged from 21 to 65 years. Participants will be randomly assigned into an interventional group (71) or a control group (71). This study is a randomized controlled study. All participants will read and sign the informed consent. Intention to treat and changes in the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) between groups will be the primary outcome. Hearing Level (HL) and adverse events related to wet cupping will be the secondary outcomes. Data will be collected on required forms. Statistical analysis will also be performed. Descriptive analysis will also be represented, showing the demographic information. This clinical trial is a large clinical trial which will be based on a previously conducted pilot trial at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).

Who can participate

Age range

21 Years – 65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 21 to 65 years old. * Primary subjective tinnitus with or without hearing loss for more than 6 months. * Tinnitus significantly impacting quality of life, as measured by the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Exclusion Criteria: * Objective, acute or intermittent tinnitus. * History of Ménière's disease. * Tinnitus induced by cerebellopontine angle tumors. * Cardiovascular disease, or a serious medical or mental illness. * History of central nervous system disease. * Patient with anemia or cardiovascular diseases. * Current pregnancy or breast-feeding. * Patients with a lack of willingness or availability.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI)

Timeframe: The scale will be performed at baseline, and end of treatment at 8 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07685171

SponsorHamad Medical Corporation

Sponsor typeINDUSTRY

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2029-01

Contact for this trial

Zainab Al Musleh, PHD

+97455886124 Zalmusleh@hamad.qa

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Tinnitus, Subjective trials