An exploratory clinical study to determine the utility of heart rate variability analysis in the assessment of dosha imbalance

Abstract

The present study is a comparison of the data of spectral analysis of heart rate variability with clinical evaluation of pathological state of doshas. The calculated cardiointervalography values are combined into three integral indexes, which according to the authors' opinion reflect the influence on heart rhythm of vata, pitta and kapha, the regulation systems of the body known as doshas in Ayurveda. Seven gross dosha imbalances were assessed to test the agreement between the two methods in this study. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) spectral data was collected from 42 participants to make the comparison with the clinical assessment of dosha imbalance. Clinical method of dosha assessment and method of calculating integral indexes by cardiointervalography data showed substantial agreement by Kappa coefficient statistic (k = 0.78) in assessment of gross dosha imbalance. The results of the data generated from this pilot study warrant further studies to rigorously validate the algorithms of HRV analysis in understanding dosha imbalance in Ayurvedic clinical practice and research settings.

Study on Relationship Between Dosha Prakruti and Heart Rate Variability (Hrv) in Geriatric Population: An Observational Study

“…Moreover, the data also inferred that the mean age of the participants was 64 years in both the gender. Maximum number of participants was in the age group of 66 to 70 years ( Table 1) which shows that with ageing the vagal stimulation is constantly compromised as evidenced by various models of ageing in humans 1,21 .…”

“…Ayurveda is the system of medicine with a rationale logical foundation which has survived as a distinct preventive and therapeutic entity from antiquity to the present day of sophisticated medical innovations 1,2 . The modern scientific innovations have logically proved the basic tenets of Ayurveda in the maintenance and cure of human ailments.…”

“…The relation between Doshas and heart rate variability (HRV) are highly intertwined with each other. Similarly, heart rate variability (HRV) and Nadi examination are also inter-related because the assessment of beat to beat variation is translated into the pulse examination 1 . Thus, Nadi examination or radial pulse assessment and beat to beat variation may studied for exploring Dosha changes in an individual 1,12 .…”

“…Heart rate variability (HRV) is an outcome of the impact of autonomic regulation on the heartbeat 1 and Doshas are also autonomous regulators of body physiology 1 . In recent years various scholars have extensively studied the impact of Doshas on heart rate variability (HRV).…”

“…In recent years various scholars have extensively studied the impact of Doshas on heart rate variability (HRV). Thus, Travis and Wallace also tried to explore the possible association between autonomous nervous system and Doshas 1,14 .…”