| research...... |
|
Research is essential to develop any branch of science.The
medicines and therapies mentioned in the classic books on Ayurveda is
really time tested and effective. More studies are conducted in different
Universities and Institutions throughout India and abroad,using advanced
scientific parameters.Modern technology is not yet sufficient enough to
gauge this Ancient wisdom.As a part of my curriculum for MD, I have conducted
a clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Ayurvedic formulations in
Degenerative diseases of the Nervous System with special reference to
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease.The study was conducted in association
with the Neurology Dept.of Govt.Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram.The
outcome of the study was highly encouraging.We have already developed
fast acting ,safe &effective therapies to many debilitating diseases.A
brief account of my study is given below……
|
| Parkinson's Disease | |
| Synonyms | Paralysis agitans, shaking palsy |
|
Parkinson's is a chronic, progressive, degenerative
disease of nervous system, caused by relentless impairment of the
neuronal population. It is named after Dr. James Parkinson, a remarkable
and talented London doctor who, in 1817, first properly described
its main features and outlined the cause of the disease. The earliest
reference to shaking palsy in the western literature is by Galen (AD
138 - 201).
Parkinsonism is a clinical syndrome characterised
by four cardinal signs; tremor at rest, bradykinesia, rigidity and
postural instability. Less prominent manifestations concern the mood
and intellect autonomic functions and sensory systems.
At least two major subtypes of Parkinsonism have
been identified, one subtype is characterised by tremor as the dominant
Parkinsonian feature, and the other is dominated by postural instability
and gait difficulty (PIGD). The tremor subtype PD is associated
with relatively normal mental status, earlier age at onset and slower
progression of the disease than the PIGD subtype, which shows more
rapid progressive course.
|
| Epidemiology |
|
The average age at onset is 55 years with about 1% of
persons 60 years of age or older having the disease. Men are affected
more frequently than women by a ratio 3:2. Signs of Parkinsonism are extremely
common in elderly; a recent survey indicated that 15% of individuals between
65 and 74 years of age, and more than half of all individuals after the
age of 85, have abnormalities on examination consistent with the presence
of an extra pyramidal disorder.
|
| Objectives of the Study | |
| * | To evaluate the efficacy of Ayurvedic formulations in degenerative diseases of the Nervous system. |
| * | To evolve an Ayurvedic concept for degenerative diseases of the Nervous System with special reference to Alzheimer's Disease(AD) and Parkinson's Disease(PD). |
| * | To develop Ayurvedic treatment modalities for the management of AD & PD. |
| * | To compare the efficacy of Ayurvedic management of AD & PD with other treatment modalities. |
| * | To evolve a safe, effective and economic management for AD &PD. |
| Research Approach |
|
The
present study is to evaluate the efficacy of selected Ayurvedic formulations
in degenerative diseases of the nervous system with special reference
to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Efficacy of Ayurvedic
management is assessed from the difference in scores before and after
treatment.
|
| Research design |
| For Parkinson's disease the patients were divided into three groups. |
| Group C | Control Group Taking Allopathic Medicines Only. |
| Group A | The Group Receiving Ayurvedic Medicines Only. |
| Group AE | The Group Taking Allopathic Medicines Along With Ayurvedic Medicines. |
|
Total
number of patients in control Group C was 13 and in Group A it is 19 and
in Group AE, the number of Patients were 18. For Alzheimer's disease,
three patients were selected according to the inclusion criteria. All
the three groups of patients with PD were assessed with proper scientific
parameters before starting the treatment and at the end of three months,
using Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and scores were
recorded in the case proforma. Alzheimer's patients were graded using
mini mental status examination (MMSE). The data collected from the two
assessment periods were statistically compared and analyzed.
|
| Selection of patients |
|
The
study is exclusively clinical. Patients who were clinically diagnosed
to have PD. and A.D were selected randomly and they were sent for assessment
at the OP of Neurological Dept. Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.
Selected patients from group A and AE were provided with Ayurvedic medicines.
|
| Sample |
| The sample for the present study consists of patients with Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. |
| Inclusion Criteria |
|
Patients
with PD. and A.D.
|
| Exclusion criteria |
| 1.
P.D and A.D patients with other major complicating diseases. 2. Patients above the age of 80. |
| Duration of the study |
|
The
duration of the study was 3 months.
|
| Collection of Data |
|
Socio-demographic data and data regarding the clinical
details of AD and PD were collected and recorded in predesigned proforma.
Patients were examined systematically and both subjective and objective
parameters were recorded. Both ashtasthana pareeksha and dasavidha pareeksha
were done.
|
| Evaluation of Results |
|
The patients were examined thoroughly before treatment
and reassessed three months after the commencement of therapy. The
patients were directed to report at the OP at the interval of four
weeks and they were examined clinically and the scores were noted
for monthly changes. A.D Patients were assessed with MMSE and PD patients
with UPDRS rating. The difference in scores after three months of
treatment were taken and evaluated statistically.
|
| During the study period, specially prepared medicines were given to the selected patients. |
| Summary of the study | Conclusion |