Komorebi Institute · Research

Gua sha Research Library

Explore research on Facial and Therapeutic Gua sha, circulation, clinical practice and the history of the treatment. Each entry explains what was studied, what was reported and how to read the findings.

83 research and context records · Updated November 9, 2026

This collection includes clinical trials, case reports, reviews, animal experiments, practice discussions and related research. Open an entry to explore the participants, methods and findings.

Reviews and research mapping

2026 · Systematic review

Post-stroke spasticity: a 2026 systematic review

Fei Li et al. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 2026;(236):71890.

Reports favorable pooled outcomes, but GRADE certainty is very low for every outcome.

Study details
Participants / material
16 trials; 1,227 stroke survivors; all trials in China
Design / comparison
Add-on scraping with rehabilitation; searches through January 1, 2026.
Reading the findings
The review included sixteen trials and 1,227 stroke survivors, all in China. Its authors rated certainty as very low for every outcome. Exploratory dose subgroups are hypotheses rather than validated treatment prescriptions.
Publication title / English rendering
Gua Sha (Scraping Therapy) for Spasticity After Stroke: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of RCTs with Integrated Preclinical Mechanistic Synthesis
Authors
Fei Li; Jun-Xiang Wang; Jin-Shan Zhong; Shi-Jing-Xin Tian; Xiang Li
Language
English
DOI
10.3791/71890
View publication

Physiology

2026 · Physiological study

Fascia and flexibility: a healthy-volunteer pilot

Beibei Wang et al. Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons Journal. Published online August 24, 2026.

Reports immediate between-group fascia-thickness reductions and increased lumbar flexibility.

Study details
Participants / material
24 healthy adults; 12 per group
Design / comparison
Single 15-minute Gua sha session versus prone rest.
Reading the findings
A twenty-four-person trial in healthy adults with immediate outcomes. Fascia-thickness changes do not establish relief of chronic pain or lasting structural remodeling; independence from related cohorts is not established.
Publication title / English rendering
Gua Sha therapy reduces thoracolumbar fascia thickness and improves lumbar flexibility: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors
Beibei Wang; Yang Hu; Yuan Xie; Wichai Eungpinichpong
Language
English
DOI
10.32098/mltj_2026_7464
View publication

Human clinical research

2025 · Randomized trial

REM sleep behavior disorder in Parkinson’s disease

Mengyuan Chen et al. Neurological Sciences. 2025;46(9):4653–4662.

The authors reported better sleep, motor, emotional and quality-of-life outcomes with added Gua sha. No serious adverse events were reported.

Study details
Participants / material
52 patients; twelve weeks of treatment
Design / comparison
Gua sha plus conventional Parkinson medication compared with medication alone; assessments included sleep questionnaires and polysomnography.
Reading the findings
This small adjunctive trial does not establish long-term benefit or rare-event safety.
Publication title / English rendering
The effect of Gua Sha therapy on Parkinson's disease with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder: a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Mengyuan Chen; Jie Liu; Haotian Ge; Xinyue Zhang; Ying Zhu; Zichun Ding; Juping Chen; Qiuqin Wang; Guihua Xu
Language
English
DOI
10.1007/s10072-025-08335-z
View publication

Physiology

2025 · Physiological study

Fascia measurements in healthy volunteers

Beibei Wang et al. Asia-Pacific Journal of Science and Technology. 2025;30(06).

Reports small fascia-thickness reductions, but also decreased pressure-pain threshold and increased tissue hardness; heart-rate variability did not differ between groups.

Study details
Participants / material
66 healthy participants
Design / comparison
Single 15-minute Gua sha session versus resting.
Reading the findings
Healthy participants were assessed immediately after one session. The paper also reports decreased pressure-pain threshold and increased tissue hardness; not all outcomes improved, and patient benefits were not tested.
Publication title / English rendering
Acute effects of Gua Sha on thoracolumbar fascia thickness and related physiological parameters in healthy young people: A randomized controlled trial
Authors
Beibei Wang; Yang Hu; Hongxiu Chen; Dehui Lai; Wichai Eungpinichpong
Language
English
DOI
10.14456/apst.2025.85
View publication

Human clinical research

2025 · Randomized trial

Low-back pain and thoracolumbar fascia thickness

Beibei Wang et al. Medicine. 2025;104(36):e44233.

Both groups improved in pain and function. Fascia thickness decreased within the Gua sha group, but a significant advantage over heat for thickness was not demonstrated.

Study details
Participants / material
32 patients; four weeks
Design / comparison
Weekly Gua sha compared with hot packs; ultrasound and clinical outcomes were assessed.
Reading the findings
Within-group change is different from superiority over another treatment. A thinner ultrasound measurement does not establish that adhesions were broken down.
Publication title / English rendering
Effects of Gua Sha therapy on thoracolumbar fascia thickness and clinical outcomes of patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial
Authors
Beibei Wang; Yang Hu; Dehui Lai; Wichai Eungpinichpong
Language
English
DOI
10.1097/MD.0000000000044233
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Human clinical research

2025 · Randomized trial

Facial Gua sha and facial rollers

Sun-Hee Ahn et al. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2025;24(6):e70236.

Both groups had smaller measured facial surface distances after treatment. Gua sha favored measured muscle properties; the roller favored skin elasticity.

Study details
Participants / material
34 women; eight weeks
Design / comparison
Ten-minute sessions, five times a week; Gua sha compared with a facial roller.
Reading the findings
There was no untreated group. The study does not establish lasting facial reshaping or identify the mechanism responsible for the changes.
Publication title / English rendering
Comparative Effects of Facial Roller and Gua Sha Massage on Facial Contour, Muscle Tone, and Skin Elasticity: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors
Sun-Hee Ahn; Ui-Jae Hwang; Hyo Sun Han; Jun-Hee Kim; Hyun-Joo Lee; Yu-Rin Jeon; Hyun Hwa Lee; A-Hyun Hwang
Language
English
DOI
10.1111/jocd.70236
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Animal research

2025 · Animal experiment

Medicated oil and Gua sha in injured rats

Min Zhu et al. Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine. 2025;34(3):421-432.

Reports changes in tissue pathology and inflammatory markers with Gua sha and Masanggoubang oil.

Study details
Participants / material
50 male rats; five groups of ten
Design / comparison
Animal experiment
Reading the findings
Fifty male rats in five groups received different scraping or oil regimens. Tissue and inflammatory changes in this injury model do not establish effectiveness in humans or a special clinical benefit from the oil.
Publication title / English rendering
Effectiveness of gua sha with Masanggoubang oil in rats with chronic soft tissue injury
Authors
Min Zhu; Dong Zhao; Chunxia Lu; Jin Cui
Language
English
DOI
10.17219/acem/186865
View publication

Human clinical research

2024 · Randomized trial

Pain in Parkinson’s disease

Yu Chen Xu et al. International Journal of General Medicine. 2024;17:2791–2800.

Pain scores favored added Gua sha after twelve sessions and at two-month follow-up. Motor, sleep and emotional outcomes also favored the added-treatment group.

Study details
Participants / material
56 patients; two-month follow-up
Design / comparison
Twelve Gua sha sessions added to usual care compared with no additional treatment.
Reading the findings
A small single-center study without an attention-matched treatment comparator. It does not demonstrate that Gua sha changes disease progression.
Publication title / English rendering
The Effect of Gua Sha Therapy on Pain in Parkinson’s Disease: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors
Yu Chen Xu; Qiu Qin Wang; Meng Yuan Chen; Yu Jie Gao; Jia Yi Wang; Hao Tian Ge; Heng Weng; Ju Ping Chen; Gui Hua Xu
Language
English
DOI
10.2147/IJGM.S461958
View publication

Reviews and research mapping

2024 · Systematic review

Blood pressure and sleep in hypertension trials

Zheng-gang Zhu et al. Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2024;22(1):12–21.

Pooled results favored added scraping for blood pressure and sleep quality.

Study details
Participants / material
Nine randomized trials; 765 participants
Design / comparison
Meta-analysis of scraping added to antihypertensive medication, compared with medication alone.
Reading the findings
The findings concern adjunctive care. Variation between trials and limitations in study quality affect confidence; the review does not support replacing medication.
Publication title / English rendering
Efficacy of scraping therapy on blood pressure and sleep quality in stage I and II essential hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors
Zheng-gang Zhu; Jian-ru Wang; Xiao-yan Pan
Language
English
DOI
10.1016/j.joim.2023.11.006
View publication

Reviews and research mapping

2024 · Research mapping

Mapping treatment-point selection for headaches

Xujie Zhang et al. Journal of Pain Research. 2024;17:1393–1400.

The analysis identified frequently reported treatment points and recurring combinations.

Study details
Participants / material
67 papers; 51 reported treatment points
Design / comparison
Data mining examined how often points and combinations appeared in reports of Gua sha for primary headaches.
Reading the findings
This maps reported practice. Frequency of use does not establish which points work best or demonstrate treatment effectiveness.
Publication title / English rendering
Analysis of Acupoint Selection Rules for Guasha Treatment of Primary Headaches Based on Data Mining
Authors
Xujie Zhang; Xinrui Huang; Feilin Ni; Xiaopei Mao; Danhua Yang; Min Xu
Language
English
DOI
10.2147/JPR.S453671
View publication

Human clinical research

2024 · Uncontrolled / pilot study

Tool shape and measured facial contours

Hyeon-Ji Kim et al. Asian Journal of Beauty and Cosmetology. 2024;22(3):463-475.

Authors report larger contour reductions with a shaped scraping tool than a plain tool.

Study details
Participants / material
14 unique women reported; group observations 11, 4 and 3, with some participants reused after a year
Design / comparison
Small comparative study with participant reuse
Reading the findings
Fourteen unique women are reported, with some participants reused after a year. Group observations therefore are not independent. This is not an eighteen-person randomized trial and does not establish lasting facial reshaping.
Publication title / English rendering
Effects of Tool Shape on Facial Contour Reduction in Middle-aged Women in Their 50s and 60s
Authors
Hyeon-Ji Kim; Han-Sung Jeon
Language
Korean; English abstract
DOI
10.20402/ajbc.2024.0047
View publication

Human clinical research

2023 · Randomized trial

COPD: scraping and auricular acupressure

谌婷婷 et al. Medical Innovation of China. 2023.

Reports improved lung-function, symptom, cough-related quality-of-life and selected immune-cell measures with added scraping plus auricular acupressure.

Study details
Participants / material
100 patients; 50 per group
Design / comparison
Randomized controlled study, as reported
Reading the findings
One hundred patients received usual medication, with or without both scraping and auricular acupressure. Because two interventions were added together, the findings cannot isolate scraping.
Publication title / English rendering
Clinical Study of Copper Scraping Combined with Auricular Point Pressing Beans in the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Original-language title
铜砭刮痧联合耳穴压豆治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病的临床研究
Authors
谌婷婷; 邓雯雯
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.3969/j.issn.1674-4985.2023.14.019
View publication

Related and contextual research · Preprint

2023 · Related IASTM study

Carpal tunnel syndrome: a related IASTM dataset

Sérgio Murilo Georgeto et al. SSRN preprint. 2023.

Describes a crossover dataset involving stretching and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization in surgical and nonsurgical patients.

Study details
Participants / material
73 patients; 43 subsequently surgical and 30 nonsurgical
Design / comparison
Dataset paper; preprint
Reading the findings
A preprint concerning IASTM and stretching. It has not been confirmed as a peer-reviewed journal article, and should not automatically be treated as direct Gua sha research.
Publication title / English rendering
Dataset on Bilateral Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Crossover Study of Two Combined Physiotherapeutic Treatment Methods on Chirurgical and Clinical Patients
Authors
Sérgio Murilo Georgeto; Pablo Rogers; Karen Barros Parron Fernandes; Rodrigo Antônio Carvalho Andraus
Language
English
DOI
No DOI listed
View publication

Human clinical research

2023 · Controlled clinical study

Breast engorgement after childbirth

Wesam Kamal Ali Farag et al. Egyptian Journal of Health Care. 2023;14(2):673–688.

Reports less engorgement and pain after Gua sha compared with routine care.

Study details
Participants / material
Convenience sample of 80 first-time postpartum women
Design / comparison
Gentle Gua sha taught from postpartum day four; breast assessments on postpartum days seven and ten.
Reading the findings
Convenience sampling with nonrandom group allocation. Both groups received breastfeeding guidance; the intervention included additional teaching and follow-up. Short-term outcomes do not establish rare-event safety.
Publication title / English rendering
Effect of Scraping Technique (Gua-Sha) on Breast Engorgement among Primi Post-Natal Women
Authors
Wesam Kamal Ali Farag; Tahany Hassan Mohamed Alam; Abeer Hassan Shamekh Taman
Language
English
DOI
No DOI listed
View publication

Reviews and research mapping

2023 · Research mapping

Mapping research themes with CiteSpace

梁闪 et al. Chinese Journal of Convalescent Medicine. 2023;32(4):362–367.

Maps authorship networks and research themes including combination treatments, pain and quality of life.

Study details
Participants / material
CNKI and Web of Science publications, 2011–2021; counts conflict between source versions
Design / comparison
Bibliometric study
Reading the findings
Research mapping, not efficacy testing. The Chinese PDF abstract, English abstract, body and publisher abstracts contain conflicting publication totals and search-cutoff dates; an exact total is not quoted here.
Publication title / English rendering
Visual analysis of research hotspots of scraping therapy at home and abroad: Based on CiteSpace
Original-language title
基于CiteSpace的国内外刮痧疗法研究热点的可视化分析
Authors
梁闪; 刘艳萍; 秦元梅; 王琳琳
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.13517/j.cnki.ccm.2023.04.005
View publication

Human clinical research

2023 · Randomized trial

Comparing treatments for plantar fasciitis

Aditi Jadhav et al. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. 2023;16(1):13–23.

The authors reported greater pain improvement with Gua sha, greater functional improvement with cryostretch and greater pressure-pain threshold improvement with positional release.

Study details
Participants / material
36 adults; three groups of twelve
Design / comparison
Gua sha, cryostretch or positional release, alongside common exercises; outcomes assessed at seven days.
Reading the findings
Groups were small and received different treatment frequencies: one, three and seven sessions respectively. The findings describe short-term outcomes.
Publication title / English rendering
Comparative Effectiveness of Gua Sha, Cryostretch, and Positional Release Technique on Tenderness and Function in Subjects with Plantar Fasciitis: a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors
Aditi Jadhav; Peeyoosha Gurudut
Language
English
DOI
10.3822/ijtmb.v16i1.749
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Physiology

2023 · Physiological study

Facial massage and local blood flow

Anastasia D. Dubinskaya et al. Bulletin of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2023;22(2):112–119.

Measured local perfusion rose after massage and returned toward baseline over approximately 35–40 minutes.

Study details
Participants / material
15 women; immediate observation
Design / comparison
Five minutes of gentle forehead Gua sha, without petechiae; perfusion measured for up to an hour.
Reading the findings
This was a small before-and-after study without a control group. Increased local blood flow does not by itself demonstrate lasting cosmetic change.
Publication title / English rendering
Changes in Microcirculation During Gua Sha Massage
Original-language title
Влияние массажа гуа-ша на показатели микроциркуляции
Authors
Anastasia D. Dubinskaya; Olga V. Yurova; Dmitry A. Rogatkin; Polina A. Glazkova; Alexey A. Glazkov; Ksenia A. Krasulina; Darya S. Selivanova; Olga Yu. Vvedenskaya; Yaroslav V. Shiverskikh
Language
Russian; English abstract
DOI
10.38025/2078-1962-2023-22-2-112-119
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Human clinical research

2023 · Randomized trial

Ear scraping and acupressure for insomnia

崔大秀 International Journal of Clinical Research. 2023;7(4):128–130.

Reports better sleep outcomes with added auricular acupressure and point massage.

Study details
Participants / material
152 patients; 76 per group
Design / comparison
Randomized comparative trial, as reported
Reading the findings
Both groups received ear scraping. This tests additions to scraping, not scraping versus no scraping.
Publication title / English rendering
Ear scraping combined with auricular acupressure for insomnia
Original-language title
耳部刮痧配合耳穴压豆改善失眠的效果观察
Authors
崔大秀
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.12208/j.ijcr.20230186
View publication

Human clinical research

2023 · Controlled clinical study

Postoperative constipation and combined nursing care

李泽萍 Medical Tribune. 2023;5(1):89–91.

Reports better symptom scores and treatment response with Gua sha plus abdominal massage added to routine care.

Study details
Participants / material
80 patients; 40 per group
Design / comparison
Controlled clinical study; allocation reporting unclear
Reading the findings
Combined scraping and abdominal massage added to routine care. Treatment-based grouping and unexplained double-blinding language leave allocation and masking uncertain; diagnostic subgroup counts are inconsistent.
Publication title / English rendering
Gua sha combined with abdominal massage for postoperative constipation in orthopedic patients
Original-language title
刮痧配合腹部按摩对骨科术后便秘患者的疗效与护理体会
Authors
李泽萍
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
No DOI listed
View publication

Historical and cultural research

2023 · Historical analysis

The history and interpretation of Gua sha

Liyuan Yue Cultures of Science. 2023;6(3):269–277.

The author describes changing understandings of Gua sha and argues for interpreting the practice within a framework of scientific multiculturalism.

Study details
Participants / material
Historical and philosophical scholarship
Design / comparison
An analysis of how sha, treatment practices and medical explanations have developed over time.
Reading the findings
This is an interpretive historical discussion. It does not test treatment effectiveness or physiological mechanisms.
Publication title / English rendering
Understandings and misunderstandings of gua sha: A discussion from the perspective of scientific multiculturalism
Authors
Liyuan Yue
Language
English
DOI
10.1177/20966083231200044
View publication

Practice and theory

2022 · Practice / theory

Scraping technique: operational guidance

Hong Chen et al. Journal of Integrative Nursing. 2022;4(4):245-250.

Describes indications, preparation, procedure and precautions for scraping.

Study details
Participants / material
Technical guidance; no recruited sample
Design / comparison
Technical / practice guidance
Reading the findings
Technical guidance describing procedures and precautions. It is not an efficacy study, and inclusion of an indication is not evidence that treatment is established for that condition.
Publication title / English rendering
Operation rules of scraping technique
Authors
Hong Chen; Dongpan Fan; Jing He; Jin Zhao; Ling Tang
Language
English
DOI
10.4103/jin.jin_20_22
View publication

Historical and cultural research

2022 · Narrative review

Kerokan during the pandemic: a literature discussion

Alfredo Aldo Eka Putra Tjundawan et al. Science Midwifery. 2022;10(4):3415-3421.

Discusses claimed health benefits of kerokan during pandemic-related restrictions.

Study details
Participants / material
Existing literature; no clinical COVID-19 sample
Design / comparison
Narrative literature study
Reading the findings
Not a COVID-19 prevention or treatment trial. Immune or antioxidant discussion does not establish protection against infection.
Publication title / English rendering
Kerokan and Benefits Provided In Maintaining Health Level During Pandemic
Authors
Alfredo Aldo Eka Putra Tjundawan; Onny Priskila; Mellisa; Ferdinand; Suryawan Ang; Agus Sugiono
Language
English
DOI
10.35335/midwifery.v10i4.806
View publication

Human clinical research

2022 · Randomized trial

Gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with kidney stones

农惠玲 et al. Chinese Health Care. 2022;40(20):28–30.

Compares Paishi decoction, copper-tool scraping, and their combination; reports better gastrointestinal symptom outcomes with combination treatment.

Study details
Participants / material
90 patients; 30 per group
Design / comparison
Three-arm randomized comparative study, as reported
Reading the findings
Three small treatment groups with selected kidney-stone characteristics. Gastrointestinal symptom outcomes do not establish stone clearance; the diagnostic-reference wording is incongruous.
Publication title / English rendering
Effect of copper-tool Gua sha combined with Paishi decoction on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with kidney stones
Original-language title
铜砭刮痧联合排石汤对肾结石患者胃肠道症状的影响
Authors
农惠玲; 朱博杰
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
No DOI listed
Publication link unavailable

Human clinical research

2022 · Case report

Head scraping and moxibustion for migraine

曾璇 et al. Practical Medical Research. 2022.

Reports reduction in headache symptoms during combined head scraping, moxibustion and nursing care.

Study details
Participants / material
One adult patient
Design / comparison
Case report
Reading the findings
Single combined-treatment case with head scraping, moxibustion and nursing care. The visit year is inconsistent within the paper, and symptom resolution cannot be attributed to one component.
Publication title / English rendering
Observation on Therapeutic Effect of Head Scraping Combined with Moxibustion on a Case of Exogenous Migraine
Original-language title
头部刮痧联合艾灸疗法治疗1例外感偏头痛的疗效观察
Authors
曾璇; 张琪; 覃钰婷; 覃周韦
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.12346/pmr.v4i2.6100
View publication

Reviews and research mapping

2022 · Narrative review

Insomnia and combined scraping approaches: a review

黄微微 Basic Medical Theory Research. 2022.

Discusses scraping combined with cupping, herbs, auricular techniques, acupuncture and timing approaches for insomnia.

Study details
Participants / material
Existing literature
Design / comparison
Narrative review
Reading the findings
Narrative review covering combinations with herbs, cupping, acupuncture and auricular techniques. It supplies no new clinical sample and does not isolate the contribution of scraping.
Publication title / English rendering
Research Progress on the Intervention Effect of Scraping Comprehensive Therapy on Insomnia
Original-language title
刮痧综合疗法对“不寐”干预效果的研究进展
Authors
黄微微
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.12238/bmtr.v4i3.5212
View publication

Human clinical research

2022 · Randomized trial

Surface, line and point scraping for insomnia

俞丽君 et al. China Medical Herald. 2022;19(18):145–148.

Reports improved PSQI and traditional syndrome scores with added surface/line/point scraping over 14 days.

Study details
Participants / material
60 patients; 30 per group
Design / comparison
Randomized controlled study, as reported
Reading the findings
Small adjunctive trial in a defined traditional syndrome; fourteen-day outcomes.
Publication title / English rendering
Nursing effect of surface, line, and point combined scraping therapy for insomnia with syndrome of liver depression transforming into fire
Original-language title
面、线、点结合刮痧用于肝郁化火型失眠症的护理效果
Authors
俞丽君; 丁定明; 李思康
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
No DOI listed
Publication link unavailable

Human clinical research

2022 · Randomized trial

Gua sha added to fever care in children

钟志霞 International Journal of Nursing Research. 2022.

Reports greater temperature reductions at selected follow-up times when scraping is added to routine fever treatment.

Study details
Participants / material
40 children
Design / comparison
Randomized controlled study, as reported
Reading the findings
Small adjunctive trial of 40 children, with conventional fever treatment in both groups. Sparse allocation and adverse-event reporting limit conclusions about efficacy and safety.
Publication title / English rendering
Observation on Hufu copper-tool scraping for fever in children
Original-language title
虎符铜砭刮痧在小儿发热中的疗效观察
Authors
钟志霞
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.12208/j.ijnr.20220266
View publication

Human clinical research

2022 · Randomized trial

Menstrual pain: Gua sha compared with ibuprofen

李芳 et al. Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2022;11(02):266-271.

Compares copper-tool scraping with sustained-release ibuprofen for three months; reports differences favoring scraping on assessed outcomes.

Study details
Participants / material
90 patients; 45 per group
Design / comparison
Randomized comparative study, as reported
Reading the findings
Ninety patients were compared over three months. The report describes simple random sampling, which does not fully explain allocation concealment. The traditional diagnostic subgroup and treatment schedules limit generalization.
Publication title / English rendering
Clinical Observation of Hufu Tongbian Scraping in the Treatment of Dysmenorrhea of Cold Coagulation and Blood Stasis Type
Original-language title
虎符铜砭刮痧治疗寒凝血瘀型痛经的临床观察
Authors
李芳; 向红霞
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.12677/tcm.2022.112040
View publication

Reviews and research mapping

2022 · Narrative review

Chronic back pain: a student evidence review

Anh Y. Cao PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship. 2022.

Summarizes pain-intensity results from three English-language trials.

Study details
Participants / material
Three published trials selected
Design / comparison
Student selective evidence-based medicine review
Reading the findings
A student selective evidence review, not a new trial. The manuscript is dated December 2021 and the repository record is 2022; its three underlying studies should not be counted as new independent samples.
Publication title / English rendering
Does Gua sha therapy reduce pain intensity in patients with chronic back pain?
Authors
Anh Y. Cao
Language
English
DOI
No DOI listed
View publication

Human clinical research

2022 · Case report

Allergic rhinitis in a child: a nursing case

王采 et al. Chinese Journal of Integrative Nursing. 2022;8(6):115-119.

Reports improvement in symptom score during ten days of local scraping and nursing care.

Study details
Participants / material
One seven-year-old child
Design / comparison
Nursing case report
Reading the findings
One seven-year-old child received scraping and nursing care over ten days. Symptom change in a single uncontrolled case does not establish general effectiveness or pediatric safety.
Publication title / English rendering
Unblocking stuffy orifice and scraping technique for a child with allergic rhinitis of Qi deficiency of lung and spleen and related nursing measures
Original-language title
局部通窍刮痧技术治疗1例肺脾气虚型变应性鼻炎患儿的护理体会
Authors
王采; 常明思
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.55111/j.issn2709-1961.202205112
View publication

Human clinical research

2022 · Randomized trial

Facial Gua sha for mild to moderate acne

吴秀梅 et al. Modern Clinical Nursing. 2022;21(7):27–31.

The Gua sha group had a better lesion-response index. Between-group differences in itching and skin pain were not significant.

Study details
Participants / material
60 patients; four weeks
Design / comparison
Weekly facial Gua sha compared with nightly tretinoin cream in a defined traditional diagnostic subgroup.
Reading the findings
A small, short trial in a selected subgroup. It does not establish long-term acne control or a special benefit from the tool material.
Publication title / English rendering
Observation on the curative effect of facial holographic scraping therapy on mild to moderate acne of lung meridian wind-heat type
Original-language title
面部全息玉石刮痧疗法治疗肺经风热型轻中度痤疮的疗效观察及护理
Authors
吴秀梅; 周瑾; 徐宁君; 郭怡雪
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.3969/j.issn.1671-8283.2022.07.005
View publication

Human clinical research

2022 · Controlled clinical study

Malignant bowel obstruction and combined treatment

周颖 et al. China Pharmaceuticals. 2022.

Reports better symptom and hemorheological outcomes with scraping plus herbal enema added to conventional treatment.

Study details
Participants / material
120 patients; 60 per group
Design / comparison
Comparative clinical study; grouped by treatment scheme
Reading the findings
Combined adjunctive intervention; does not isolate scraping. Allocation was according to treatment scheme, not clearly randomized.
Publication title / English rendering
Clinical Observation of Scraping and Enema with Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Malignant Intestinal Obstruction
Original-language title
刮痧联合中药灌肠治疗恶性肠梗阻临床观察
Authors
周颖; 刘翠; 夏立君; 王龙
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.3969/j.issn.1006-4931.2022.21.022
View publication

Historical and cultural research

2021 · Survey / qualitative study

Public understanding of scraping and cupping

Qi Chen et al. Asian Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2021.

Uses survey responses and a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation approach to examine understanding of scraping and cupping.

Study details
Participants / material
Questionnaire respondents
Design / comparison
Questionnaire / perception study
Reading the findings
A questionnaire and fuzzy-evaluation study of knowledge and perceptions. It is not a controlled test of treatment for colds.
Publication title / English rendering
Investigation on the understanding of physical methods of scraping and cupping in the treatment of seasonal cold
Authors
Qi Chen; Lili Zhou; Yimei Du; Yanming Zhao; Zhiqi Jiang
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.12345/yzlcyxzz.v4i6.7957
View publication

Human clinical research

2021 · Randomized trial

Gua sha added to ibuprofen for menstrual pain

王淑荣 et al. China Medical Herald. 2021;18(26):147–151.

Compares ibuprofen with ibuprofen plus copper-tool scraping over three menstrual cycles; reports lower pain in the added-scraping group during cycles two and three, but not cycle one.

Study details
Participants / material
80 patients; 40 per group
Design / comparison
Randomized controlled study, as reported
Reading the findings
Eighty patients in a defined traditional diagnostic subgroup received ibuprofen with or without added scraping over three menstrual cycles. Pain differed between groups in cycles two and three, but not cycle one.
Publication title / English rendering
Clinical effect of copper-bian scraping therapy in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea with syndrome of cold congelation and blood stasis
Authors
王淑荣; 段志宇; 刁旺平; 吴丹; 张天婵; 王宇非; 邹香妮
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
No DOI listed
Publication link unavailable

Safety and clinical recognition

2021 · Case report

Skin infection following body-contouring Gua sha

Sang-Woo Park et al. Annals of Dermatology. 2021;33(6):572.

Reports culture- and molecularly identified M. massiliense infection following body-contouring Gua sha; treatment included drainage and clarithromycin.

Study details
Participants / material
One case
Design / comparison
Adverse-event case report
Reading the findings
A culture- and molecularly identified infection was reported after body-contouring treatment. A single report identifies a possible hazard but cannot estimate its frequency or prove the contamination source.
Publication title / English rendering
Cutaneous Mycobacterium massiliense Infection Caused by Skin Coining Gua Sha in Korean Healthy Female
Authors
Sang-Woo Park; Hyun-Bin Kwak; Sang-Kyung Lee; Eui-Sung Jung; Su-Kyung Park; Jaehyeon Lee; Hye-Soo Lee; Seok-Kweon Yun; Han-Uk Kim; Jin Park
Language
English
DOI
10.5021/ad.2021.33.6.572
View publication

Human clinical research

2021 · Controlled clinical study

Knee osteoarthritis and inflammatory markers

伍文聪 World Latest Medicine Information. 2021;21:160–161. Issue number conflicts within the source.

Reports lower inflammatory markers and higher response rate with scraping compared with moxibustion.

Study details
Participants / material
55 patients; 28 scraping, 27 moxibustion
Design / comparison
Comparative clinical study; grouped by treatment
Reading the findings
Treatment-based grouping does not establish random allocation. The response-rate significance reported in the table is inconsistent with its cell counts. The PDF header and DOI indicate issue 49 while the printed citation says issue 44.
Publication title / English rendering
The Effect of Scraping Therapy on the Regulation of Inflammatory Factors in the Clinical Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Original-language title
在膝关节骨性关节炎临床治疗中应用刮痧疗法对炎性因子的调节作用
Authors
伍文聪
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.3969/j.issn.1671-3141.2021.49.066
View publication

Practice and theory

2021 · Practice / theory

Melasma: a description of a treatment approach

胡海荣 et al. Chinese Journal of Integrative Nursing. 2021.

Describes a holographic scraping approach to melasma and discusses proposed mechanisms.

Study details
Participants / material
Practice discussion without a defined patient cohort
Design / comparison
Practice / technique discussion
Reading the findings
A technique discussion without a defined comparative patient cohort. It does not establish melasma clearance, quantify treatment effectiveness or validate its proposed mechanisms.
Publication title / English rendering
Application of holographic meridian scraping therapy in the treatment of chloasma
Original-language title
全息经络刮痧在黄褐斑治疗中的应用
Authors
胡海荣; 王梁敏; 许冰; 田亚娟; 唐玲
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.12209/j.issn2618-0219.202012127
View publication

Related and contextual research

2021 · Guideline / protocol

Hypertension management guidance: contextual reading

National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and primary-care hypertension management committees Chinese Circulation Journal. 2021.

Provides primary-care hypertension management guidance, including a section on Chinese medicine.

Study details
Participants / material
Guideline; no recruited sample
Design / comparison
Clinical practice guideline
Reading the findings
Published 2021 but labeled 2020 edition. This is contextual guidance, not a Gua sha trial; current guideline status and Gua sha-specific recommendations not yet verified.
Publication title / English rendering
National Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Hypertension in Primary Health Care in China (2020)
Original-language title
国家基层高血压防治管理指南2020版
Authors
National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and primary-care hypertension management committees
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.3969/j.issn.1000-3614.2021.03.001
View publication

Human clinical research

2021 · Controlled clinical study

Gua sha added to free-position childbirth care

Lingge Li et al. American Journal of Translational Research. 2021.

Reports lower pain and anxiety scores and shorter labor stages when scraping was added to free-position childbirth care.

Study details
Participants / material
120 primiparous women
Design / comparison
Controlled clinical study; admission-order allocation
Reading the findings
Allocation was described as random according to admission order. Delivery-rate labels and counts are internally inconsistent, so they are not used as dependable treatment-effect estimates.
Publication title / English rendering
The effect of holographic meridian scraping therapy combined with free position on the labor process, perineum lateral resection rate, and delivery outcomes of primiparae
Authors
Lingge Li; Ping Zhang; Zhijuan Qin; Xia Liu; Xiaohui Wang; Suzhao Zhang; Lizhen Wang; Qing Xue; Xiaohua Yin
Language
English
DOI
No DOI listed
View publication

Human clinical research

2021 · Randomized trial

Anxiety and depressive symptoms in psychiatric inpatients

叶君荣 et al. International Journal of Nursing Research. 2021;3(1):10–14.

Reports lower HAMD and HAMA scores with added copper-tool Gua sha compared with routine nursing alone.

Study details
Participants / material
96 inpatients; 48 per group; schizophrenia and mood disorders
Design / comparison
Weekly copper-tool Gua sha added to routine nursing for four weeks.
Reading the findings
Mixed psychiatric diagnoses, including schizophrenia and mood disorders; this is not a trial solely in major depressive disorder. The routine-care comparator does not control for treatment attention.
Publication title / English rendering
Copper-tool Gua sha for anxiety and depressive symptoms in psychiatric inpatients
Original-language title
铜砭刮痧疗法对缓解精神障碍患者焦虑、抑郁症状效果观察
Authors
叶君荣; 李思珏; 肖爱祥; 韦红梅; 黄杏笑; 熊令辉; 袁乐欣; 于林; 吴升伟
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.12208/j.ijnr.20210003
View publication

Reviews and research mapping

2021 · Narrative review

Contemporary explanations of scraping therapy

Eric Chun Pu Chu et al. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 2021;10(8):2757-2762.

Reviews proposed links among scraping, petechiae resolution, heme-related pathways, immune responses and pain modulation.

Study details
Participants / material
No newly recruited participants; discusses existing literature.
Design / comparison
Discussion of Gua sha producing petechiae and proposed physiological responses.
Reading the findings
Narrative synthesis without a reproducible systematic search or formal evidence grading identified. References include indirect and preclinical evidence. Proposed pathways are not established clinical mechanisms simply because they appear in a review.
Publication title / English rendering
Exploring scraping therapy: Contemporary views on an ancient healing – A review
Authors
Eric Chun Pu Chu; Arnold Yu Lok Wong; Patrick Sim; Friso Krüger
Language
English
DOI
10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_360_21
View publication Read full text

Related and contextual research

2020 · Survey / qualitative study

Care-seeking for suspected dengue: contextual research

Hui Liu et al. BMC Health Services Research. 2020;20(1):318.

Examines care-seeking for suspected dengue, including traditional practices and self-medication.

Study details
Participants / material
259 households approached; 241 valid responses; 18 key informants
Design / comparison
Cross-sectional household survey and qualitative interviews
Reading the findings
Behavioral/public-health research, not a test of Gua sha for dengue. Record scraping mentions as context rather than treatment efficacy.
Publication title / English rendering
Treatment seeking behavior and associated factors of suspected dengue fever among Shan people in eastern Shan special region IV, Myanmar: a cross-sectional study
Authors
Hui Liu; Jian-Wei Xu; Zadan Ai; Yan Yu; Bian Yu
Language
English
DOI
10.1186/s12913-020-05163-z
View publication

Animal research · Preprint

2020 · Animal experiment

Influenza-infected mice: a preprint experiment

Yalan Li et al. Research Square. 2020.

Reports effects on pulmonary inflammation and Treg/Th17 measures; abstract states Gua sha did not restore infection-related weight loss.

Study details
Participants / material
Male ICR mice, aged six to eight weeks; outcome-specific samples
Design / comparison
Animal experiment; preprint version
Reading the findings
Research Square preprint v1, not confirmed as a peer-reviewed journal publication. The abstract says five groups while methods list six, with sample sizes differing by outcome. Influenza-infected mice do not provide evidence of human COVID-19 treatment.
Publication title / English rendering
Gua Sha attenuates the pulmonary inflammation in mice infected with PR8 virus by balancing the ratio of Treg/Th17
Authors
Yalan Li; Yongan Wang; Jingwei Kong; Zirui Liu; Dongyu Ge; Ruijuan Dong; Guiying Peng
Language
English
DOI
10.21203/rs.3.rs-20934/v1
View publication

Human clinical research

2020 · Randomized trial

Scraping added to knee osteoarthritis care

Jin-Rong Wei et al. Journal of Integrative Nursing. 2020;2(3):129–133.

The added-scraping group had better reported pain and clinical scores, alongside differences in selected blood markers.

Study details
Participants / material
80 patients; two months
Design / comparison
Both groups received exercise and moxibustion; one group also received scraping therapy.
Reading the findings
This tests scraping as an addition to other treatment. It does not isolate scraping alone or establish cartilage repair.
Publication title / English rendering
Clinical effect of scraping therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis
Authors
Jin-Rong Wei; Hui-Ping Zhang; Shu-Ying Xu; Bo Ma; Jin-Hua Zhang; Jia Liu
Language
English
DOI
10.4103/jin.jin_9_20
View publication

Safety and clinical recognition

2020 · Case report

Kerokan marks in a forensic examination

Prashant N Samberkar et al. Medicine, Science and the Law. 2020;60(4):315-318.

Discusses treatment marks that prompted investigation of suspected assault; autopsy identified myocarditis as the cause of death.

Study details
Participants / material
One case
Design / comparison
Forensic case report
Reading the findings
Autopsy identified myocarditis as the cause of death. This paper concerns interpretation of skin injuries and must not be presented as a death caused by kerokan.
Publication title / English rendering
Potential forensic implications of kerokan therapy – a traditional Indonesian therapy associated with neck bruising
Authors
Prashant N Samberkar; Snehlata P Samberkar; Roger W Byard
Language
English
DOI
10.1177/0025802420926867
View publication

Human clinical research

2020 · Case report

Facial expression lines and wrinkles: a case

Andrea Leite Barretto Domingues et al. Journal of Chinese Medicine. 2020(123):38–41.

Reports improvement in expression lines, wrinkles and skin texture during facial Gua sha treatment.

Study details
Participants / material
One 67-year-old female volunteer
Design / comparison
Case report
Reading the findings
Single uncontrolled cosmetic case with subjective and photographic assessments. It does not establish lasting wrinkle reduction or comparative effectiveness.
Publication title / English rendering
The Use of Gua Sha to Improve Facial Expression Lines and Wrinkles: A Case Study
Authors
Andrea Leite Barretto Domingues; Ana Francisca Neves Solinho; Cláudia Patrícia da Fonseca Pereira Sequeira; Diogo Fernando Rodrigues da Mota; Júlia Maria Gomes da Mota; Maria Regina Rodrigues Campos; Nuno Miguel Ribeiro Moreira Tavares
Language
English
DOI
No DOI listed
View publication

Related and contextual research

2020 · Guideline / protocol

COVID-19 nursing protocols: contextual reading

Mei-Zhen Lin et al. Journal of Integrative Nursing. 2020;2(2):40.

Presents syndrome-based nursing protocols developed through consultation and revision.

Study details
Participants / material
Expert consultation and practice-based protocol development
Design / comparison
Expert nursing protocol / review
Reading the findings
An expert-derived nursing protocol from 2020, not a Gua sha efficacy trial. Its discussion of a practice does not establish prevention or treatment of COVID-19.
Publication title / English rendering
Traditional Chinese medicine nursing protocols for COVID-19
Authors
Mei-Zhen Lin; Qiao-Mei Wu; Yu Liu; Zhong-De Zhang; Gang-Yi Peng; Chang-Xiu Wan; Xiao-Pan Wang; Ying-Rui Ma; Ping Xiong; Hui-Chao Chen; Qiu-Ying Deng; Li-Li Deng; Ding-Rong Qiu; Lin Wei; Jiu-Hong You; Yang-Chen Liu; Guang-Qing Zhang; Li-Xia Kou; Ming-Ming Xu; Yu-Mei Chen; Yin-Qin Zhong; Xiao-Qin Lu; Han-Jiao Liu; Jin Zhou; Hong Ye; Xiao-Zhen Gong; Shi-Miao Luo; Xi-Yan Hu
Language
English
DOI
10.4103/jin.jin_23_20
View publication

Safety and clinical recognition

2020 · Case report

Recognizing skin marks following coining

Adrija K. Darsha et al. Cureus. 2020.

Describes linear purpura/ecchymoses after coining and discusses clinical recognition.

Study details
Participants / material
One case
Design / comparison
Dermatology case report
Reading the findings
The report describes treatment-associated skin marks and their clinical recognition. Expected transient marks should not automatically be classified as a separate complication; one case does not estimate incidence.
Publication title / English rendering
New Onset of Linear Purpura on the Back: Coining Therapy-Associated Ecchymoses
Authors
Adrija K. Darsha; Philip R. Cohen
Language
English
DOI
10.7759/cureus.8833
View publication

Human clinical research

2020 · Uncontrolled / pilot study

Lumbar disc herniation: a combined-treatment series

王永超 et al. Hunan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2020.

Reports clinical improvement following scraping combined with plum-blossom needling and other manual care.

Study details
Participants / material
31 patients
Design / comparison
Uncontrolled case series
Reading the findings
No comparator and several interventions; cannot isolate scraping or establish structural disc change.
Publication title / English rendering
Shujing Tongdu Gua sha combined with plum-blossom needling for lumbar disc herniation: 31 cases
Authors
王永超; 潘朝霞; 杨文; 张仕年
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.16808/j.cnki.issn1003-7705.2020.11.033
View publication

Reviews and research mapping

2019 · Systematic review

Musculoskeletal pain: a 2019 systematic review

Dérrick Patrick Artioli et al. Brazilian Journal Of Pain. 2019;2(3).

Summarizes short-term outcomes mainly in spinal pain studies; authors rate trial quality as moderate using PEDro.

Study details
Participants / material
Six included clinical trials
Design / comparison
Systematic review
Reading the findings
Six trials with mostly seven-to-twenty-one-day outcomes were included. The authors rated methodological quality as moderate using PEDro; this is not a new assessment of the entire current evidence base.
Publication title / English rendering
Gua-sha: application and therapeutic results in musculoskeletal pain situations. Systematic review
Authors
Dérrick Patrick Artioli; Gladson Ricardo Flor Bertolini
Language
English; Portuguese abstract
DOI
10.5935/2595-0118.20190050
View publication

Practice and theory

2019 · Practice / theory

Ear scraping: clinical practice examples

刘凤选 et al. Chinese Nursing Management. 2019;19(10):1445–1448.

Describes an ear holographic copper-tool scraping approach and illustrative clinical applications.

Study details
Participants / material
Clinical examples; total cohort not yet extracted
Design / comparison
Clinical practice discussion with case examples
Reading the findings
Practice report with illustrative cases rather than a controlled efficacy trial. Proposed copper-specific or resonance explanations are not experimentally tested here.
Publication title / English rendering
Clinical application of ear holographic tongbian scraping
Authors
刘凤选; 梅御寒; 刘芝修
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.3969/j.issn.1672-1756.2019.10.002
View publication

Human clinical research

2019 · Controlled clinical study

Liver enzyme measurements after kerokan

Nur Adiba Hanum et al. Global Medical & Health Communication (GMHC). 2019;7(1).

No significant between-group SGOT/AST or SGPT/ALT differences were reported 24–48 hours after kerokan; values remained in normal ranges.

Study details
Participants / material
30 people with inactive-carrier or chronic hepatitis B status
Design / comparison
Controlled pretest-posttest study
Reading the findings
Short-term enzyme observations do not establish antiviral efficacy, general hepatoprotection or comprehensive procedural safety.
Publication title / English rendering
The Effect of Kerokan to Liver Function of Hepatitis B Patients
Authors
Nur Adiba Hanum; Ismalayani; Rahmad Aswin Juliansyah; Syokumawena; Marta Pastari; Hanna Sari Widya Kusuma; Yukko Arinta
Language
English; Indonesian abstract
DOI
10.29313/gmhc.v7i1.3397
View publication

Reviews and research mapping

2019 · Research mapping

Which conditions appear in Gua sha research?

王艳国 et al. Tianjin Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2019;36(12):1175–1180.

Maps 185 disease/syndrome categories across 19 broader groups, with 1,258 disease occurrences. Includes 374 publications on Gua sha alone and 874 on combination treatment.

Study details
Participants / material
1,248 included clinical-observation publications; adults and children analyzed separately.
Design / comparison
Literature mapping of Gua sha alone and combined with other treatments; searches through October 19, 2018.
Reading the findings
Publication frequency measures what was reported, not how effective treatment was. No pooled treatment-effect estimate or formal risk-of-bias assessment identified. Chinese database coverage and the search cutoff define scope.
Publication title / English rendering
Study on disease spectrum of scraping therapy (guasha)
Original-language title
刮痧疗法疾病谱研究
Authors
王艳国; 任凤蛟; 肖侠; 燕翔琳; 韩阿拉坦敖其尔; 闫晨光
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.11656/j.issn.1672-1519.2019.12.09
View publication

Human clinical research

2019 · Randomized trial

Gua sha alongside usual care for diabetic neuropathy

Xiaolan Xie et al. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2019;35:348–352.

The added-treatment group had better neuropathy, sensory-function and selected vascular/metabolic measures at later assessments.

Study details
Participants / material
119 adults; twelve weeks
Design / comparison
Weekly Gua sha plus usual care compared with usual care alone.
Reading the findings
Participants and therapists were not blinded. Extra treatment attention and medicated oil could contribute to the results; the trial does not establish nerve regeneration.
Publication title / English rendering
Effect of Gua Sha therapy on patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors
Xiaolan Xie; Liqiong Lu; Xiaoping Zhou; Caitang Zhong; Guo Ge; Huie Huang; Xiaoming Zhang; Yingchun Zeng
Language
English
DOI
10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.03.018
View publication

Animal research

2018 · Animal experiment

Gua sha in a rat model of disc-related pain

Min Yang et al. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2018;38(5):698–704.

Reports reduced thermal hyperalgesia and serum inflammatory cytokines with repeated Gua sha in a noncompressive nucleus-pulposus model.

Study details
Participants / material
72 rats; model, sham and Gua sha groups, 24 each
Design / comparison
Animal experiment
Reading the findings
Animal model; does not demonstrate disc repair, reduced compression or clinical effectiveness in humans.
Publication title / English rendering
Gua Sha attenuates thermal hyperalgesia and decreases proinflammatory cytokine expression in serum in rats with lumbar disc herniation induced by autologous nucleus pulposus
Authors
Min Yang; Hongyan Zhang; Rongzhao Yue; Qinchuan Shi; Yaoyao Bian
Language
English
DOI
No DOI listed
View publication

Human clinical research

2018 · Case report

Plantar heel pain: a multimodality case

Tamsin L. Lee et al. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies. 2018;11(4):162-164.

Reports a multimodality approach involving massage, Gua sha, bleeding, acupuncture and moxibustion for plantar heel pain.

Study details
Participants / material
One case
Design / comparison
Case report
Reading the findings
Cannot isolate Gua sha from the other treatments or establish comparative effectiveness.
Publication title / English rendering
Noninvasive, Multimodality Approach to Treating Plantar Fasciitis: A Case Study
Authors
Tamsin L. Lee; Benjamin L. Marx
Language
English
DOI
10.1016/j.jams.2018.04.002
View publication

Human clinical research

2017 · Randomized trial

Perimenopausal symptoms and quality of life

Fang Meng et al. Menopause. 2017;24(3):299–307.

Symptoms and quality-of-life scores improved more with added Gua sha. Measured estrogen, FSH and LH did not differ significantly between groups.

Study details
Participants / material
80 women randomized; eight weeks
Design / comparison
Weekly 15-minute Gua sha plus conventional treatment compared with conventional treatment alone.
Reading the findings
This was an adjunctive treatment study with a short treatment period. Its findings do not demonstrate hormone normalization.
Publication title / English rendering
Effect of Gua sha therapy on perimenopausal syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Fang Meng; Pei-bei Duan; Junya Zhu; Qing-qing Lou; Zhao-hui Fang; Hong-li An; Lan-ying Liu; Yue Hu; Qian Hu
Language
English
DOI
10.1097/GME.0000000000000752
View publication

Human clinical research

2017 · Case report

Shoulder pain and restless-leg symptoms: a case

Adam John Haysom-McDowell et al. Australian Journal of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. 2017.

Describes shoulder treatment with an unexpected reported change in restless-leg symptoms.

Study details
Participants / material
One case
Design / comparison
Case report
Reading the findings
Single uncontrolled observation; the restless-leg outcome is exploratory. Journal year is 2017 despite filename 2018.
Publication title / English rendering
Case study: Gua Sha for Shoulder Pain with an unexpected outcome for Restless Leg Syndrome
Authors
Adam John Haysom-McDowell; Bertrand Yew Kian Loyeung; Sean Walsh
Language
English
DOI
No DOI listed
View publication

Reviews and research mapping

2017 · Narrative review

Coronary heart disease: a narrative review

宋丽波 et al. Global Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2017;10(10):1174–1177.

Reviews the application of Gua sha within the traditional blood-stasis framework.

Study details
Participants / material
Existing basic and clinical literature
Design / comparison
Narrative review
Reading the findings
Narrative synthesis; traditional explanatory framework and clinical outcome evidence should be indexed separately.
Publication title / English rendering
Research status and prospect of scraping therapy in coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome
Original-language title
刮痧疗法在冠心病血瘀证中的研究现状及展望
Authors
宋丽波; 李静; 陈晓燕; 吉云飞; 董国菊
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.3969/j.issn.1674-1749.2017.10.037
View publication

Practice and theory

2016 · Practice / theory

Interpreting sha: a conceptual discussion

LU Chunxia et al. Chinese Journal of Ethnomedicine and Ethnopharmacy. 2016;25(14):54–55, 57. English translation.

Discusses proposed interpretation of sha appearance and positive treatment responses in relation to constitution and disease.

Study details
Participants / material
No diagnostic validation cohort identified
Design / comparison
Conceptual / clinical discussion
Reading the findings
A conceptual discussion of sha interpretation, without a diagnostic-validation cohort.
Publication title / English rendering
Discussion on Gua Sha and Sha Diagnosis
Authors
LU Chunxia; ZHAO Dong; CUI Zuo
Language
English translation
DOI
No DOI listed
Publication link unavailable

Historical and cultural research

2015 · Survey / qualitative study

Gua sha use in the Hong Kong community

C.T. Lam et al. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2015;23(1):46-54.

Reports one-year use prevalence of 22.7% and four-week prevalence of 6.6%; describes users, indications and usage patterns.

Study details
Participants / material
3,209 adult respondents
Design / comparison
Community questionnaire survey
Reading the findings
Self-reported use among 3,209 adult respondents. Prevalence and user beliefs describe practice patterns rather than treatment effectiveness.
Publication title / English rendering
A survey on the prevalence and utilization characteristics of gua sha in the Hong Kong community
Authors
C.T. Lam; S.H. Tse; S.T. Chan; J.K. Tam; J.W.M. Yuen
Language
English
DOI
10.1016/j.ctim.2014.12.002
View publication

Animal research

2015 · Animal experiment

Heatstroke in rats: scraping and bloodletting

Wen-zhan Tu et al. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2015;21(8):610-617.

Reports longer survival and better selected circulatory, inflammatory and tissue-injury measures after combined Gua sha and bloodletting in experimentally induced heatstroke in rats.

Study details
Participants / material
Anesthetized rats; Gua sha, bloodletting, combined, heatstroke-model and normal-control groups
Design / comparison
Animal experiment
Reading the findings
Animal experiment involving both Gua sha and bloodletting; cannot establish human emergency-treatment effectiveness. Online publication was 2014; final journal issue was 2015.
Publication title / English rendering
Combination Treatment with Gua Sha and Blood-letting Causes Attenuation of Systemic Inflammation, Activated Coagulation, Tissue Ischemia and Injury during Heatstroke in Rats
Authors
Wen-zhan Tu; Rui-dong Cheng; Jie Hu; Jie-zhi Wang; Hai-yan Lin; En-miao Zou; Wan-sheng Wang; Xin-fa Lou; Song-he Jiang
Language
English
DOI
10.1007/s11655-014-1816-4
View publication

Human clinical research

2014 · Uncontrolled / pilot study

Scraping during weightlifting training

Xingze Wang et al. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2014;34(1):52-56.

Reports increased lifting performance and changes in selected serum markers after scraping during a seven-week training program.

Study details
Participants / material
Five male youth weightlifters
Design / comparison
Very small athlete pilot study
Reading the findings
Only five male youth weightlifters, with ongoing training and no clearly matched parallel comparator. The design cannot establish a general athletic-performance benefit.
Publication title / English rendering
Effect of scraping therapy on weightlifting ability
Authors
Xingze Wang; Wichai Eungpinichpong; Jinsheng Yang; Uraiwan Chatchawan; Saowanee Nakmareong; Yingying Wang; Xinyan Gao
Language
English
DOI
10.1016/S0254-6272(14)60054-6
View publication

Related and contextual research

2014 · Related IASTM study

Shoulder movement in baseball players: related IASTM

Kevin Laudner et al. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2014.

Reports greater immediate passive horizontal-adduction and internal-rotation gains after IASTM compared with no treatment.

Study details
Participants / material
35 asymptomatic collegiate baseball players; 17 IASTM, 18 control
Design / comparison
Randomized controlled study
Reading the findings
IASTM/Graston-related intervention, not a Gua sha trial; acute movement changes in asymptomatic athletes do not show injury prevention.
Publication title / English rendering
Acute Effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization for Improving Posterior Shoulder Range of Motion in Collegiate Baseball Players
Authors
Kevin Laudner; Bryce D. Compton; Todd A. McLoda; Chris M. Walters
Language
English
DOI
No DOI listed
Publication link unavailable

Human clinical research

2014 · Uncontrolled / pilot study

Hypertension: an uncontrolled four-week study

Hai-hua Liu et al. World Journal of Acupuncture - Moxibustion. 2014;24(4):54-58.

Reports lower serial blood-pressure readings and improved symptom scores after eight Gua sha sessions over four weeks.

Study details
Participants / material
34 patients; eight sessions over four weeks
Design / comparison
Uncontrolled clinical study
Reading the findings
Uncontrolled before-and-after study. Medication, repeated measurement, regression to the mean and time effects cannot be separated from the intervention.
Publication title / English rendering
Clinical observation on 34 cases of essential hypertension treated by guasha
Authors
Hai-hua Liu; Ying-ying Wang; Yuan Wu; Ying-ru Chen; Jin-sheng Yang
Language
English; Chinese abstract
DOI
10.1016/S1003-5257(15)60029-0
View publication

Human clinical research

2014 · Randomized trial

Neck and shoulder pain in computer users

Krittaya Saenlee et al. Journal of Medical Technology and Physical Therapy. 2014;26(2):169–179.

Pain decreased in both groups, with no significant difference between them in pain or pressure-pain threshold. Neck range of motion improved more with Gua sha.

Study details
Participants / material
60 computer users; immediate assessment
Design / comparison
A 16-minute Gua sha treatment compared with sham ultrasound.
Reading the findings
Immediate improvement in movement should be distinguished from pain relief. The trial does not establish a sustained effect.
Publication title / English rendering
Immediate effects of Gua Sha therapy for reducing neck and shoulder pain associated with myofascial trigger point in computer users
Authors
Krittaya Saenlee; Wichai Eungpinichpong; Uraiwan Chatchawan
Language
Thai; English abstract
DOI
No DOI listed
View publication Read full text

Safety and clinical recognition

2014 · Case report

Epiglottic swelling after neck scraping

Keng-Kuang Tsai et al. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2014;186(8):E298-E298.

Describes acute epiglottic swelling and dysphonia following anterior/lateral neck scraping; symptoms improved after intravenous steroids.

Study details
Participants / material
One 23-year-old man
Design / comparison
Adverse-event case report
Reading the findings
Single case with author attribution to local trauma; cannot estimate complication incidence. Publication is 2014, not filename 2013.
Publication title / English rendering
Acute epiglottitis following traditional Chinese gua sha
Authors
Keng-Kuang Tsai; Chih-Hung Wang
Language
English
DOI
10.1503/cmaj.130919
View publication

Physiology

2012 · Physiological study

Local temperature and blood perfusion after scraping

Qin-Yan Xu et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2012;2012:490292.

Local blood perfusion increased after treatment and remained elevated during the observation period. Skin temperature also changed.

Study details
Participants / material
23 healthy volunteers; 90-minute observation
Design / comparison
Laser Doppler imaging and infrared measurements compared a scraped back area with baseline and an untreated area.
Reading the findings
This measures an acute local response in healthy skin. It does not establish clinical benefit or a change in whole-body circulation.
Publication title / English rendering
The Effects of Scraping Therapy on Local Temperature and Blood Perfusion Volume in Healthy Subjects
Authors
Qin-Yan Xu; Jin-Sheng Yang; Bing Zhu; Li Yang; Ying-Ying Wang; Xin-Yan Gao
Language
English
DOI
10.1155/2012/490292
View publication Read full text

Human clinical research

2012 · Randomized trial

Pain and pressure sensitivity in neck and low-back pain

Romy Lauche et al. American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 2012;40(5):905–917.

Reported pain improved in the neck and low-back subgroups. Pressure-pain sensitivity improved in the neck subgroup but not the low-back subgroup.

Study details
Participants / material
40 randomized; seven-day follow-up
Design / comparison
One Gua sha treatment compared with a waiting list; 39 participants included in the final analysis.
Reading the findings
Small subgroups and a waiting-list comparator limit interpretation. Reported pain and a measured pressure threshold are different outcomes.
Publication title / English rendering
Randomized Controlled Pilot Study: Pain Intensity and Pressure Pain Thresholds in Patients with Neck and Low Back Pain Before and After Traditional East Asian Gua Sha Therapy
Authors
Romy Lauche; Klaus Wübbeling; Rainer Lüdtke; Holger Cramer; Kyung-Eun Choi; Thomas Rampp; Andreas Michalsen; Jost Langhorst; Gustav J. Dobos
Language
English
DOI
10.1142/S0192415X1250067X
View publication

Human clinical research

2011 · Case report

Hepatitis B and biomarker changes: a case

Suk-tak Chan et al. Clinica Chimica Acta. 2011;412(17-18):1686-1688.

Reports transient decreases in ALT/AST, increased plasma HO-1 and altered Th1/Th2 balance 48 hours after Gua sha.

Study details
Participants / material
One 20-year-old male chronic hepatitis B carrier
Design / comparison
Case report with biomarker observations
Reading the findings
One twenty-year-old hepatitis B carrier was observed after treatment. Short-term enzyme, HO-1 and immune-marker changes do not establish antiviral effectiveness or viral clearance.
Publication title / English rendering
Guasha-induced hepatoprotection in chronic active hepatitis B: A case study
Authors
Suk-tak Chan; John W.M. Yuen; Mayur-Danny I. Gohel; Chi-ping Chung; Ho-cheong Wong; Kenneth K. Kwong
Language
English
DOI
10.1016/j.cca.2011.05.009
View publication

Human clinical research

2011 · Randomized trial

Gua sha compared with heat for chronic neck pain

Maximilian Braun et al. Pain Medicine. 2011;12(3):362–369.

At one week, the difference in pain improvement favored Gua sha by approximately 30 mm on a 100-mm scale. Disability and some quality-of-life measures also favored Gua sha.

Study details
Participants / material
48 adults; seven-day follow-up
Design / comparison
One Gua sha session compared with local heat treatment.
Reading the findings
This was a small open trial. The short follow-up does not establish long-term benefit.
Publication title / English rendering
Effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Gua Sha Therapy in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors
Maximilian Braun; Miriam Schwickert; Arya Nielsen; Stefan Brunnhuber; Gustav Dobos; Frauke Musial; Rainer Lüdtke; Andreas Michalsen
Language
English
DOI
10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01053.x
View publication

Practice and theory

2011 · Practice / theory

Combining points, lines and regions in practice

杨金生 et al. Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice. 2011.

Discusses selecting tender points, muscle attachments, vascular routes, neural territories and regional relationships.

Study details
Participants / material
Practice observations; no defined trial cohort
Design / comparison
Clinical experience / conceptual article
Reading the findings
A clinical-reasoning and experience article rather than an experimental cohort. Proposed point, muscle-attachment and regional relationships are not diagnostic or mechanistic validation.
Publication title / English rendering
Combining points, lines, surfaces and locations in Gua sha: a clinical practice discussion
Authors
杨金生; 王莹莹; 屈建峰; 杨莉
Language
Chinese
DOI
No DOI listed
Publication link unavailable

Physiology

2011 · Physiological study

Different scraping techniques and local perfusion

Qing-yan Xu et al. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2011;31(4):316-320.

Reports increased local perfusion and skin temperature after reinforcing and reducing techniques; perfusion differed at later time points while temperature did not.

Study details
Participants / material
11 healthy volunteers
Design / comparison
Comparative physiological study
Reading the findings
Eleven healthy volunteers were studied using laser Doppler and temperature measurements. Acute local responses are not patient outcomes. Independence from the related 2012 cohort is not established.
Publication title / English rendering
Effects of Different Scraping Techniques on Body Surface Blood Perfusion Volume and Local Skin Temperature of Healthy Subjects
Authors
Qing-yan Xu; Jin-sheng Yang; Li Yang; Ying-ying Wang
Language
English
DOI
10.1016/S0254-6272(12)60011-9
View publication

Related and contextual research

2011 · Survey / qualitative study

Cambodian understandings of liver illness

Nancy J. Burke et al. Journal of Community Health. 2011;36(1):27-34.

Explores cultural understandings of liver illness and hepatitis B, informed by Khmer medicine, biomedicine and migration experiences.

Study details
Participants / material
Eight group interviews; 48 men and 49 women
Design / comparison
Qualitative focus-group study
Reading the findings
Qualitative health-beliefs research, not a hepatitis treatment trial. Online publication was 2010; the journal issue was 2011.
Publication title / English rendering
Chumnguh Thleum: Understanding Liver Illness and Hepatitis B Among Cambodian Immigrants
Authors
Nancy J. Burke; Hoai Huyen Do; Jocelyn Talbot; Channdara Sos; Danika Svy; Victoria M. Taylor
Language
English
DOI
10.1007/s10900-010-9277-y
View publication

Reviews and research mapping

2011 · Narrative review

A review of clinical applications and mechanisms

陈科 et al. Chinese Journal of Ethnomedicine and Ethnopharmacy. 2011;20(4):4–5, 8.

Summarizes traditional models, proposed mechanisms and applications across clinical areas.

Study details
Participants / material
Existing clinical and experimental literature
Design / comparison
Narrative review
Reading the findings
Narrative review of existing clinical and experimental reports. Traditional explanations, proposed mechanisms and directly measured outcomes need to be distinguished; this is not a new clinical trial.
Publication title / English rendering
Modern research and clinical application of Gua sha
Original-language title
刮痧的现代研究与临床应用
Authors
陈科; 张罗健; 万峰
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
No DOI listed
Publication link unavailable

Human clinical research

2011 · Controlled clinical study

Postoperative constipation: a controlled study

孙秀梅 et al. Journal of Hebei Medical University. 2011;32(11):1350–1351.

Reports bowel-movement response within the specified 12–24-hour criteria in 28/30 patients receiving added Gua sha versus 20/29 receiving routine care.

Study details
Participants / material
59 patients; 30 intervention, 29 comparison, as rendered in source
Design / comparison
Controlled clinical study; allocation unclear
Reading the findings
Allocation follows admission order despite being described as random. Short response window and no clearly masked assessment;
Publication title / English rendering
Gua sha for postoperative constipation in 59 orthopedic patients
Original-language title
刮痧治疗骨科术后便秘患者59例
Authors
孙秀梅; 范立想; 王敏
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.3969/j.issn.1007-3205.2011.11.042
View publication

Practice and theory

2011 · Practice / theory

Gua sha standardization in China

王莹莹 et al. Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2011;18(12):4–6.

Discusses occupational classifications, operational standards and research directions as of publication.

Study details
Participants / material
Literature and occupational/technical standards
Design / comparison
Narrative review / standards discussion
Reading the findings
A 2011 account of occupational and technical standards. It does not establish treatment effectiveness or confirm which standards remain in force today.
Publication title / English rendering
Current status and outlook of Gua sha standardization research in China
Original-language title
中国刮痧规范研究现状及展望
Authors
王莹莹; 杨金生（指导）
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.3969/j.issn.1005-5304.2011.12.002
View publication

Reviews and research mapping

2010 · Systematic review

An early systematic review of musculoskeletal pain trials

Myeong Soo Lee et al. Chinese Medicine. 2010;5:5.

Some studies favored Gua sha, but the reviewers judged the evidence insufficient to establish effectiveness because study quality was poor.

Study details
Participants / material
Seven controlled trials; search through July 2009
Design / comparison
A review of five randomized trials and two other controlled clinical trials.
Reading the findings
This review describes the evidence available at its search date. Later trials must be considered separately; its conclusion is not a current review of the whole field.
Publication title / English rendering
Using Guasha to treat musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review of controlled clinical trials
Authors
Myeong Soo Lee; Tae-Young Choi; Jong-In Kim; Sun-Mi Choi
Language
English
DOI
10.1186/1749-8546-5-5
View publication Read full text

Human clinical research

2009 · Randomized trial

Obesity: acupuncture and scraping combined

Yue-ling Peng et al. Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science. 2009;7(2):87-90.

Reports improved obesity and traditional constitution scores after four weeks of acupuncture plus scraping added to health education and dietary advice.

Study details
Participants / material
70 participants
Design / comparison
Randomized controlled study, as reported
Reading the findings
Seventy participants received health education and dietary advice with or without acupuncture plus scraping. The combined intervention prevents attribution to scraping alone; follow-up was four weeks.
Publication title / English rendering
Clinical Observation of Combined Acupuncture and Scraping Therapy for Improving Phlegm-dampness Constitution of Simple Obesity
Authors
Yue-ling Peng; Jiang Meng; De-rong Feng
Language
English; Chinese abstract
DOI
10.1007/s11726-009-0087-7
View publication

Human clinical research

2008 · Case report

Breast fullness and breastfeeding support

Ching-Yu Chiu et al. The Journal of Nursing (Hu Li Za Zhi). 2008;55(1):105–110.

Describes Gua sha within breastfeeding support and follow-up; reports successful continued breastfeeding.

Study details
Participants / material
One postpartum woman
Design / comparison
Nursing case report
Reading the findings
Single case with several concurrent nursing measures; distinct from the later randomized breast-engorgement trial.
Publication title / English rendering
An Experience Applying Gua-Sha to Help a Parturient Women with Breast Fullness
Original-language title
運用刮痧協助產後脹奶婦女之照護經驗
Authors
Ching-Yu Chiu; Ching-Yi Chang; Meei-Ling Gau
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.6224/JN.55.1.105
View publication

Human clinical research · Preprint

Date unconfirmed · Case report

Hypertension: a preprint case report

贾宗祎 NursRxiv preprint. Date unconfirmed.

Reports immediate blood-pressure and headache changes following Gua sha.

Study details
Participants / material
One patient already receiving antihypertensive medication
Design / comparison
Case report; preprint
Reading the findings
A preprint case report involving one patient who continued antihypertensive medication. It cannot establish an isolated effect of Gua sha on blood pressure.
Publication title / English rendering
A nursing case report of holographic Gua sha in a patient with hypertension
Original-language title
1例高血压患者应用中医全息刮痧的护理病例报告
Authors
贾宗祎
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.12209/issn2708-3845.20210131001
Publication link unavailable

Human clinical research · Preprint

Date unconfirmed · Case report

Early cold-like symptoms: a nursing case

姚红红 NursRxiv preprint. Date unconfirmed.

Reports symptom improvement following Gua sha within clinical care.

Study details
Participants / material
One case
Design / comparison
Case report; preprint
Reading the findings
A preprint case report without a comparator. Improvement in one patient cannot establish treatment effectiveness.
Publication title / English rendering
Nursing observation of Gua sha in a patient with early external-contraction symptoms
Original-language title
一例外感初期患者刮痧治疗的护理观察
Authors
姚红红
Language
Chinese; English abstract
DOI
10.12209/issn2708-3845.20210131003
Publication link unavailable

Human clinical research

Date unconfirmed · Case report

Fever during a COPD exacerbation: a case report

ZHAO Dandan et al. Case report. Date unconfirmed.

Describes nursing care and fever management using scraping in acute COPD exacerbation.

Study details
Participants / material
One patient
Design / comparison
Nursing case report of Gua sha used during care for fever in an acute COPD exacerbation.
Reading the findings
A single patient receiving clinical care cannot establish an isolated effect of Gua sha on fever.
Publication title / English rendering
Nursing experience of scraping treatment of fever in acute exacerbation of COPD: a case report
Authors
ZHAO Dandan; WANG Liangmin; TANG Ling; SHI Mingjie; ZHANG Zhiyan; MA Mingming
Language
English translation
DOI
10.12209/issn2708-3845.20230331001
Publication link unavailable