Comparative Effects of Scooping Mobilization and Dynamic Cupping Therapy on Elbow Stiffness

Comparative Effects of Scooping Mobilization and Dynamic Cupping on Elbow Range of Motion and Function in Children With Elbow Stiffness

The current study is a randomized clinical trial, data is collected from Alqamar Hospital Shakarghar. The study includes 28 patients equally divided into two groups and randomly allocated. Inclusion criteria for the study will be children of age group 6-13, children with diagonosis of post fracture stiff elbow minimal immobilized period of 3 weeks. Patients with any neurological impairment, children with MSK disorders, Infection or tumors will be excluded from the study. Experimental Scooping mobilization group will receive scooping mobilization combined with electrotherapy for 2 minutes per session 5 days a week. Experimental dynamic cupping group will receive dynamic cupping therapy combined with electrotherapy for 10 minutes per session 5 days a week. Total intervention period will be of 4 weeks. Data collection will be done before and after the intervention. Tools used for data collection will be Goniometer and Quick DASH Questionnaire. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 27.00.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Children; Adults
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Scooping mobilization technique; Other: Dynamic cupping therapy

Detailed Description

Group A will receive scooping mobilization technique it focuses on gently mobilizing the joint through traction combined with a smooth, curved motion, improving the flexion-extension arc and promoting joint relaxation. Patient is positioned supine, lying with the elbow at the side of the table. In the primary procedure, the joint is held in a relaxed posture, and the client's hand rested on the therapist's shoulder. The physiotherapist will place the elbow at the limit of the range before stretching into flexion or extension. Force-directed as a distraction, it was initially applied by the physical therapist at an angle of 45° to the ulna, followed by a distal orientation along the longitudinal plane of the ulna while retaining the distraction force. the movement will be smooth and rhythmic, avoiding any sharp or jerky motions. Gradually increase the range within the patient's tolerance as the joint loosens. Duration period to perform the scooping motion is for 2 minutes per session 5 days a week for 4 weeks.

Group B will receive dynamic cupping therapy that involves using cups to create suction on the skin, which helps to promote blood flow, reduce inflammation, and relax muscles. Firstly, ensure that area is clean, assess elbow range of motion and pain levels choose the appropriate cup size for the elbow area apply a small amount of lubricant (e.g., silicone-based cream) to the area then place the cup on the skin, creating suction using a pump or manual technique. Gently move the cup in various directions (e.g., longitudinal, transverse, circular) to create shear forces. Focus on areas of tension or adhesions apply varying levels of suction to maintain comfort. Encourage active movement and make sure that patient move their elbow through range of motion while cupping. Duration period to perform the dynamic cupping is for 10 minutes per session 5 days a week for 4 weeks.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 28
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: IMRAN AMJAD, PhD; Phone Number: 9233224390125; Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Muhammad Asif Javed, MS PT; Phone Number: 923224209422; Email: a.javed@riphah.edu.pk

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 54000
      • Recruiting
      • Model town
      • Contact: Muhammad Asif Javed, MSPT; Phone Number: 923224209422; Email: a.javed@riphah.edu.pk

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children of age group 6-13
• Children with diagnosis of post-fracture elbow stiffness.
• Minimal immobilized period of 3 weeks
• Children with age group of both genders

Exclusion Criteria:

• Infection or tumers
• Neurological impairment
• Children with MSK disorders
• Metabolic bone disease
• Pathological fractures

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Scooping mobilization technique; Participants in this group will receive scooping mobilization technique along with with electrotherapy like TNS, theraputic ultrasonic etc for 2 mints per session for 5 days a week total intervention period will be of 4 weeks.	Other: Scooping mobilization technique; Group A will receive scooping mobilization technique it focuses on gently mobilizing the joint through traction combined with a smooth, curved motion, improving the flexion-extension arc and promoting joint relaxation. In the primary procedure, the joint is held in a relaxed posture, and the client's hand rested on the therapist's shoulder. The physiotherapist will place the elbow at the limit of the range before stretching into flexion or extension. Force-directed as a distraction, it was initially applied by the physical therapist at an angle of 45° to the ulna, followed by a distal orientation along the longitudinal plane of the ulna while retaining the distraction force. the movement will be smooth and rhythmic, avoiding any sharp or jerky motions. Gradually increase the range within the patient's tolerance as the joint loosens. Duration period to perform the scooping motion is for 2 minutes per session 5 days a week for 4 weeks.; Other: Dynamic cupping therapy; Group B will receive dynamic cupping therapy that involves using cups to create suction on the skin, which helps to promote blood flow, reduce inflammation, and relax muscles. Firstly, ensure that area is clean, assess elbow range of motion and pain levels choose the appropriate cup size for the elbow area apply a small amount of lubricant (e.g., silicone-based cream) to the area then place the cup on the skin, creating suction using a pump or manual technique. Gently move the cup in various directions (e.g., longitudinal, transverse, circular) to create shear forces. Focus on areas of tension or adhesions apply varying levels of suction to maintain comfort. Encourage active movement and make sure that patient move their elbow through range of motion while cupping. Duration period to perform the dynamic cupping is for 10 minutes per session 5 days a week for 4 weeks.
Active Comparator: Dynamic cupping; Participants in this group will receive dynamic cupping technique along with with electrotherapy like TNS, theraputic ultrasonic etc for 10 mints per session for 5 days a week total intervention period will be of 4 weeks.	Other: Scooping mobilization technique; Group A will receive scooping mobilization technique it focuses on gently mobilizing the joint through traction combined with a smooth, curved motion, improving the flexion-extension arc and promoting joint relaxation. In the primary procedure, the joint is held in a relaxed posture, and the client's hand rested on the therapist's shoulder. The physiotherapist will place the elbow at the limit of the range before stretching into flexion or extension. Force-directed as a distraction, it was initially applied by the physical therapist at an angle of 45° to the ulna, followed by a distal orientation along the longitudinal plane of the ulna while retaining the distraction force. the movement will be smooth and rhythmic, avoiding any sharp or jerky motions. Gradually increase the range within the patient's tolerance as the joint loosens. Duration period to perform the scooping motion is for 2 minutes per session 5 days a week for 4 weeks.; Other: Dynamic cupping therapy; Group B will receive dynamic cupping therapy that involves using cups to create suction on the skin, which helps to promote blood flow, reduce inflammation, and relax muscles. Firstly, ensure that area is clean, assess elbow range of motion and pain levels choose the appropriate cup size for the elbow area apply a small amount of lubricant (e.g., silicone-based cream) to the area then place the cup on the skin, creating suction using a pump or manual technique. Gently move the cup in various directions (e.g., longitudinal, transverse, circular) to create shear forces. Focus on areas of tension or adhesions apply varying levels of suction to maintain comfort. Encourage active movement and make sure that patient move their elbow through range of motion while cupping. Duration period to perform the dynamic cupping is for 10 minutes per session 5 days a week for 4 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Range of motion	Goniometer for range of motion of the elbow joint like flexion, extention, pronation and supination will be evaluated pre and post treatment.	4 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
functional outcomes	Diaginostic tool quick DASH questionnaire is used to evaluate functional outcome to improve quality of life	4 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Adil Munir, MSPT, Riphah International University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 22, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 2, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 16, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 8, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 16, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 19, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 19, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 16, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Pain; Function; ROM; Dynamic cupping; Scooping mobilization
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neurologic Manifestations; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Pain
• Other Study ID Numbers: Affifa

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No