The effect of wet cupping on reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS) caused by early exposure to chlorine gas: A randomized clinical trial

Objective: In the absence of targeted antidotes for chlorine gas poisoning, a common yet concerning problem, this study investigates the effect of Wet Cupping Therapy (WCT, or “Hijamat”) on the recovery process in chlorine-induced reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS) patients. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled trial enrolled ۲۴ patients experiencing acute inhalation of chlorine poisoning in Tehran, Iran (۲۰۲۰-۲۰۲۱). Patients were randomly divided into control (n=۱۲, receiving conventional treatment) and intervention (n=۱۲, receiving conventional treatment plus WCT) groups. Signs and symptoms were assessed pre-intervention, and in the first hour, first week, and first month post-intervention.Results: Medical records of ۲۴ patients, including ۳(۱۲.۵%) men and ۲۱(۸۷.۵%) women, with a mean age of ۴۲.۹۲ years old, were evaluated. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. WCT significantly improved symptoms (dyspnea, cough, chest tightness, etc.) within the first hour (p=۰.۰۰۳) compared to the controls, with no future significant changes during the first week and first-month post-WCT. Comparison between the groups revealed substantial differences in the following variables: dyspnea scale (p=۰.۰۰۹), respiratory rate (p=۰.۰۲۶), cough (p=۰.۰۰۱), breath shortness (p=۰.۰۰۶), chest tightness (p=۰.۰۰۲), chest pain (p=۰.۰۱۰), substernal burning (p=۰.۰۱۵), throat sore (p=۰.۰۰۵) and hoarseness (p=۰.۰۲۷). Peak flow meter readings, reflecting lung function, were also significantly higher in the WCT group at all time-points (p<۰.۰۰۷).Conclusion: WCT may offer a rapid and sustained improvement in pulmonary and respiratory symptoms following acute chlorine inhalation injury.

کلیدواژه ها:

Reactive airway dysfunction syndrome ، Persian Medicine ، Bleaching agents ، Chlorine gas ، Hijamat ، wet cupping