Management of spastic cerebral palsy through multiple Ayurveda treatment modalities

Abstract

Background:Cerebral palsy (CP) is a leading cause of childhood disability affecting function and development. The global incidence of CP is 2:1000. It has been reported that children with CP and their caretaker have impaired health-related quality of life (QOL). Of the many types and subtypes of CP, none has any known cure. For a detailed description of the disease CP, though, there is no one to one correlation in Ayurvedic classics; it can be taken as Vata Vyadhi as far as its etiology and symptomatology are concerned.Aim:To assess the effect of certain Panchakarma procedures in the management of CP.Materials and Methods:Total 8 patients were registered and treated with 5 days of Udvartana, 5 days of Abhyanga followed by Sarvanga Swedana and then 8 days of Yoga Basti. The same course of treatment has been repeated for 3 times with an interval of 14 days. Ashtanga Ghrita was given during whole procedures as internal medication. Results of treatment were assessed with anthropometrical measurement, developmental milestone, Modified Ashworth Scale, spasm scale, reflex scale, and muscle power grading.Result:This Ayurvedic management shows good result in CP patients, especially by improving growth (height, weight, chest circumference) and development (head holding and sitting), reducing spasticity of left upper limb and muscle spasm.Conclusion:Multisystem approach is needed to improve the condition of the patient. Panchakarma along with internal medication should be given to improve all the facets of spastic CP. Yoga Basti acts by their own mode of action and can be used freely for such disease conditions.

A Review on Cerebral Palsy in Children: Bridging Ayurvedic Concepts With Scientific Approaches in Medicine

“…Clinical trials have shown that Cerebral palsy is most effectively treated in the line of management of treatment of diseases caused due to vata (vatavyadhi chikitsa). 11 Vata has been explained to be vitiated by trauma (abhighata) and also injury to vital organs (marmabhighata). 12 Cerebral palsy is also caused by damage pertained to the brain and its cells.…”

Some efficacious Ayurvedic panchakarma procedures in children with cerebral palsy

“…When vata comes to normalcy development of milestones will become normal. 2 Abhyanga reduces increased muscle tone, improves muscle bulk and power in CP cases. 3 Abhyanga involves cutaneous manipulation and it is considered as one of the prime procedures for mitigating vata.…”

“…Various panchakarma procedures like Udwartana (medicated powder massage), Sarvaanga abhyanga (full body massage with medicated oil), Baashpa sweda & Naadi sweda (steam bath), Shashtika shali pinda sweda -SSPS (sudation with a bolus prepared by boiled rice), Nasya, Shirodhara (oil drip over the forehead) and Vasti (oil and decoction enemas), are found to be beneficial in the management of CP. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Present study is focused only on few panchakarma procedures which are commonly used and found effective in the management of CP like Udwartana, Sarvaanga abhyanga, Baashpa sweda & Naadi sweda, Shashtika shali pinda sweda, Nasya and Vasti.…”

“…1,8 Swedana along with abhyanga removes aavarana and srotorodha. 2 Swedana is sthambhagna (relieves spasticity), Sandhichestakar (improves joint mobility), Srotoshuddhikar (cleanses channels) and Kaphavata nirodhaka (pacifies kapha and vata). Thus by its action the 'Sroto sanga vighatana' (removal of obstructions in channels) may take place and stiffness of the joints relieved.…”

Ayurveda Management of Spasticity in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In India it is reported that incidence of CP is 3 per 1000 live births 2 . Its pathology lies in developing brain chiefly cerebrum, brain stem, gyri, middle cerebral artery, thalamus, basal ganglia, cerebellum etc.…”