Recent Advances in Ayurvedic Management of Cerebral Palsy Affected Children

Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common chronic motor disability among developmental disorder prevalent world widely among pediatric population. It is a group of condition characterized by motor dysfunction due to non progressive brain damage in its early developing period; often accompanied by other features like seizures, behavioral disorder, cognitive impairment and other secondary musculoskeletal problems restricting them from normal independency. The condition poses considerable therapeutic challenge to the treating physician. Currently there is no specific treatment available in modern medical science to counteract the brain insult leading to motor dysfunction in CP. The available therapeutic interventions are mostly symptomatic and costlier. Recent advances in Ayurvedic clinical research have shown increased understanding of etiopathogenesis, its causal pathway of presentation and the value of specific intervention strategies in the management of Cerebral palsy. Ayurveda recommends multiple treatment options for intervention at various levels. Out of them, Panchkarma therapy and oral herbal formulations with properties of anti spasticity, anti convulsant, neurogenerative capacity etc. plays a vital role in the management. This paper provides a critical review on the effect of currently available treatment modalities of Ayurveda that can efficiently manage Cerebral palsy.

A Case Study on the Ayurvedic Managment of Spastic Cerebral Palsy Due to Birth Asphyxia

“…Vasti is most important Pradhan-karma to manage the Vata Dosha in treatment of Cerebral palsy. Short chain fatty acids of medicated oil reaches rectum, colon and direct diffusion property from epithelial cells to blood capillary where it shows generalized effect 48 . Vasti is restricted till the crawling age but Anuvasana vasti (oil enema) can be given from early infancy.…”

Some efficacious Ayurvedic panchakarma procedures in children with cerebral palsy

“…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.…”

“…Abhyanga and SSPS both cumulatively help in reduction of spasticity and facilitate free movement of joint preventing from deformities and contractures in CP cases. 17 Massage of the entire body with medicated oils like Bala tailam, Narayana tailam, Prasarini tailam, and Mashadi tailam are very effective. Massage involving concomitant stretching maneuvers is very beneficial in patients with spastic diplegia resulting from CP.…”

“…When medicated oil reaches rectum and colon, presence of short chain fatty acids in oil allows direct diffusion of drugs from epithelial cells in to capillary blood villi showing its generalized effect. 17 Shodhana (detoxification) karma is performed mainly by niruha or asthapana basti (decoction enema) ( Figure 5). The protocol is determined according to the disease and the patient's condition.…”

Effects of Snoezelen in the Management of Children With Cerebral Palsy Who Exhibits Maladaptive Behaviour in Selected Special Care Unit, Coimbatore, India

“…Often accompanied by other features like seizure behavioural disorder, cognitive impairment and other musculoskeletal problem 1 . It is a most common physical disability in early childhood.…”