Blood pressure changes following dry cupping among patients with hypertension: a pre-experimental study

Abstract

Hypertension requires sustained management, yet some patients seek complementary approaches that may support conventional care. This study aimed to examine changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure following dry cupping among patients with hypertension. A quantitative pre-experimental study with a one-group pretest–posttest design was conducted at Usada Dawa Clinic, Klungkung Regency, Bali. Twenty-two participants were selected through purposive sampling and received dry cupping for 7–8 minutes per session, twice weekly for two consecutive weeks. Blood pressure was measured before the first session and after the final session using an aneroid sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and blood pressure values, while paired-samples t tests compared pre-intervention and post-intervention measurements. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were lower after completion of the intervention, and both pre–post differences were statistically significant. These findings provide preliminary evidence that dry cupping may be considered as an adjunctive approach within complementary nursing care when delivered safely and integrated with prescribed medication, lifestyle modification, and routine monitoring. However, the absence of a control group, the small sample, and the single-clinic setting limit causal interpretation and broader generalization. Larger controlled studies are needed to determine whether these changes are sustained and clinically meaningful.