Classical Ashtavaidyan Ayurvedic Therapy in the functional improvement of patients of Psoriatic Arthritis - An open label, single arm exploratory clinical study

Abstract

Background: Arthritis and various musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of disability in persons between 18 to 65 years of age. Psoriatic arthritis simulates Ayurvedic descriptions of the clinical syndrome - Vatarakta. The study has been designed to evaluate the effectiveness of classical Ashtavaidyan methods of Ayurvedic intervention in the management of psoriatic arthritis and to assess the safety of the therapy. Methodology: Diagnosed cases of psoriatic arthritis (n=30) (20-60 yrs) have undergone the prescribed classical Ashtavaidyan Ayurvedic therapies. The total study period was 57 days which included 21 days each at inpatient and outpatient basis and 15 days of follow up. Initially modified Takradhara was performed along with internal medications for first 14 days; later same internal medication was continued with Sarvanga Abhyanga (therapeutic massage) with Pinda Taila and Vajraka Ghrita in 3:1 ratio externally and Amalaki Thalam for next 7 days. Same internal medicines and oil application were continued for next 21 days as outpatient. Results: The response to treatment was assessed periodically with respective parameters and showed highly significant improvement (P less than 0.001). There was significant reduction in PASI score and also significant changes in functional parameters related to psoriatic arthritis evaluated by using the visual analogue pain scale, DAS score, disability index scores and SF-36 (quality of life Index). The laboratory parameters used to evaluate the liver and renal functions did not show any significant changes that indicate the prescribed treatment is safe. Conclusion: Traditional Ashtavaidyan Ayurveda therapy is effective in reducing the skin lesions and improving functional ability in Vatarakta vis-à-vis psoriatic arthritis over a period of 42 days. Moreover, there was no adverse drug reaction recorded as well no significant change observed in liver and renal function tests.