Wavelet Phase Coherence Analysis of Oxyhemoglobin and DeoxyHemoglobin Oscillations to Investigate the Relationship Between Cups of Cupping Therapy

• Published in: Journal of biophotonics 2025-01, Vol.18 (1), p.e202400337-n/a
• Main Authors: Huang, Liwan, Mo, Pu‐Chun, Samadi, Mansoureh, Shen, Wei‐Cheng, Yu, Hongjun, Hernandez, Manuel, Jan, Yih‐Kuen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coherence analysis; Cups; Ductility tests; Hemodynamic responses; hemodynamics; Infrared analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; Near infrared radiation; near‐infrared spectroscopy; negative pressure; Oscillations; Oxyhemoglobin; Phase coherence; Therapy; wavelet; Wavelet analysis; Wavelet transforms
• ISSN: 1864-063X; 1864-0648; 1864-0648
• DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202400337

ABSTRACT Research has not demonstrated whether multiple cups of negative pressure cupping therapy would induce interactions of hemodynamic responses between different areas. A multichannel near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to assess oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin oscillations in response to cupping therapy. Wavelet transform and wavelet phase (WPC) coherence were used to quantify NIRS signals. Three levels of negative pressure (−75, −225, and −300 mmHg) were applied to the gastrocnemius in 12 healthy adults. Oxyhemoglobin coherence between the two inside‐cup areas was higher at −75 mmHg compared to −300 mmHg in both metabolic (WPC = 0.80 ± 0.11 vs. 0.73 ± 0.13) and neurogenic (WPC = 0.70 ± 0.11 vs. 0.60 ± 0.17) controls. Deoxyhemoglobin coherence was also higher at −75 mmHg compared to −300 mmHg in both metabolic (WPC = 0.78 ± 0.11 vs. 0.66 ± 0.14) and neurogenic (WPC = 0.67 ± 0.11 vs. 0.58 ± 0.13) controls. Our study provides first evidence on the interaction of hemodynamic responses between the two cups of cupping therapy using WPC analysis of NIRS signals. The locations of the near‐infrared spectroscopy channels are labeled (Channels 1–16), and the skin areas are defined as inside or outside the treatment area of cupping therapy are I, II, III, and IV. Areas I and II are on the distal side while the other two areas are on the proximal side. The Areas I and III are outside the cup and the other two areas are inside the cup. The measured hemodynamic responses from the treated areas are analyzed using wavelet phase coherence to assess the interactions between different treated areas under two cupping cups.