Using cross-correlation analysis of multi-channel near infrared spectroscopy to assess the hemodynamic response to cupping therapy

Cupping therapy is a common intervention for the management of musculoskeletal impairment. Previous studies have demonstrated that cupping therapy can improve muscle hemodynamic responses using single-channel near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). However, the effects of cupping therapy on spatial hemodynamic responses as well as the correlation between oxyhemoglobin and deoxy-hemoglobin are largely unknown. The cross-correlation function (CCF) algorithm was used to determine the correlation between time-series NIRS signals from inside and outside the cup as well as time-series oxyhemoglobin and deoxy-hemoglobin under 4 cupping intensities, including −225 and −300 mmHg for 5 and 10 min. The main finding was that the maximum CCF values of oxyhemoglobin was significantly higher than those in deoxy-hemoglobin (p < 0.05). Furthermore, it was found that there was a correlation between deoxy-hemoglobin with a longer duration and a larger magnitude of negative pressure. This is the first study investigating time-series hemodynamic responses after cupping therapy using cross-correlation function analysis of multi-channel NIRS signals.