Efficacy of Ghati Yantra Raktamokshana (Bloodletting with Modified Cupping) in Pain management of Ghridhrasi (Sciatica): A systematic review

Background & Objectives: Pain in Sciatica can be incredibly painful and intolerable which seeks immediate medical attention. Various treatment modalities are widely used but have side effects too. One of them is Ghati Yantra Raktamokshana (Bloodletting with modified cupping). This systematic review provides an assessment on evidence of pain management of Gridhrasi (Sciatica) by Ghati Yantra Raktamokshana (Bloodletting with Modified Cupping). Methods: The databases of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, AYUSH portal, Shodhganga, Clinical trial registry of India, Google scholar were searched systematically (since inception to February 2021) for relevant articles about the effect of Ghati Yantra Raktamokshana in pain management of Gridhrasi. All randomized controlled trials as well as non-randomized controlled trials, before and after studies and single group clinical studies assessing the efficacy of Ghati Yantra Raktamokshana in pain management of Gridhrasi was included. Results: The original search yielded 774 articles of which only 6 articles (1-pilot study, 1-case study and 4-single arm studies) met the inclusion criteria and they showed the effectiveness of Ghati Yantra Raktamokshana in Pain management of Gridhrasi. Interpretation & Conclusions: Though review shows that the Ghati Yantra Raktamokshana is effective in Pain management of Gridhrasi but due to the methodological and clinical heterogeneity and risk of bias of the included trials requires more strong evidences in terms of RCT’s with larger sample size and for longer duration to definitely conclude its effectiveness.