CLASSICAL ASHTAVAIDYAN AYURVEDIC THERAPY IN THE FUNCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS: AN OPEN LABEL, SINGLE ARM CLINICAL STUDY

Abstract

Background:Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease that affects primarily the sacroiliac joints and spine with the symptoms of muscular spasm, stiffness and limitation of movement of spine. Traditional practice of Ashtavaidyan Ayurveda line of management has been tried to evaluate the efficacy in ankylosing spondylitis. A combined treatment with internal medication and external therapeutic procedures has been taken up to assess the evaluate the effect on the functional improvement and safety in ankylosing spondylitis. Methodology: Diagnosed cases of ankylosing spondylitis (n=30) (20-60 yrs) have undergone the prescribed classical AshtavaidyanAyurvedictherapy; the total study period was 57 days which included 21 days each at inpatient and outpatient basis and 15 days of follow up. Initially Pizhichil with KetakeemooladiTaila with PanchatiktakaGhrita was performed along with internal medications for first 7 days later same internal medication is continued with SathailaTilaPindaSweda and followed by PanchatikthakaKsheeraBasti for last 7 days.  Same internal medicines and oil application were continued for next 21 days on outpatient basis and BalaguluchyadiTaila was applied regularly on scalp for all these days.  Result: The response of treatment was assessed periodically with respective parameters and was showed significant improvement. The functional improvement was evaluated by using the BASDAI score, DAS-28 score, disability index, SF-36 and global assessment of disease activity scale and there were significant changes in all the above scales.  The laboratory parameters used to evaluate the liver and kidney functions did not show any significant change that indicates the prescribed treatment is safe. Conclusion: Traditional Ashtavaidyan Ayurveda therapy iss effective in improving functional ability in Vatarakta vis-à-vis ankylosing spondylitis over a period of 42 days. Moreover, there was no adverse drug reaction recorded during as well there was no significant change observed in liver and renal function tests.

Keywords: Ayurveda, ankylosing spondylitis, Vatarakta, Pizhichil, GandarvasthadiKashaya, KethakeemooladiTaila, KsheeraBasthi, HLA-B27