| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 1
| Issue : 1 | Page : 15-21 |
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Effectiveness of an integrative whole-system approach to the treatment of Gṛdhrasi: An observational study
Chikkadasappa Shruthi1, Jaideep Sitaram Sriranjini1, Hankey Alex2, Kumar M Vivek Sanker1, Gopinath G Gangadharan3
1 Centre for Clinical Research, Institute of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (IHST-FRLHT), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
2 Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
3 I AIM Health care Centre (IHC), Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative medicine, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Correspondence Address:
Gopinath G Gangadharan
Additional Director, Institute for Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (I AIM) 74/2, Jarakabande Kaval, Attur Post, Yelahanka, Bangalore - 560 106
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
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Background: Gṛdhrasi correlates with "Lumbago with Sciatica." Disease complexity suggests that integrative whole-system Āyurvēda treatment combining external and internal therapies will optimize patient care. Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrative whole-system Āyurvēda treatment approach to the management of pain and disability in Gṛdhrasi patients. Study Design: An observational study using standard monitoring procedures. Materials and Methods: Fifty-four Gṛdhrasi patients (age range 41.53 ± 1.71 years, M: F 27:27, mean duration of illness 18.51 ± 4.36 months) receiving individualized treatments at the Integrative Healthcare Center were recruited. Subjects were assessed at the outset, and after each period of treatment using visual analog scale (VAS), straight leg-raising test (SLR), and Roland Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ). Statistical analysis used Microsoft Excel and SPSS 16.0. Results: Following initial consultations, 16 subjects dropped out. Of the 38 remaining, 68.4% showed significant improvements in pain and disability, 18.4% were borderline non-responders, and 13.2% failed to respond to treatment. There was a statistically significant reduction in the pain (VAS) (F = 62.53, P < 0.0001) and measures of disability (RMDQ) (F = 17.14, P = 0.018). Leg-raising as assessed by SLR also improved significantly for both the legs (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of the current observational study are encouraging despite the small size of the group; further clinical trials using a similar integrative whole-system approach for the management of Gṛdhrasi are warranted. |
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