Abstract

EFFECT OF AYURVEDA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CEREBRAL PALSY - A CASE REPORT

Dr. Sonam*, Dr. Mahapatra Arun Kumar and Dr. Rajagopala S.

Abstract

Background and Objectives - The worldwide incidence of Cerebral palsy (CP) is 2.1/1000 live births, and for India it is 3/1000 live births. Cerebral Palsy is the leading cause of disability in children which can be correlated with various Vata predominant conditions mentioned in Ayurveda. There is no satisfactory criterion in managing this condition is developed till date. Case Report - A male child aged 3 years attended Kaumarabhritya OPD with complaints of unable to walk and speak with drooling of saliva and irregular bowel habits, since the age of development and was previously diagnosed as spastic CP. Materials and Methods - The patient has undergone procedure based therapy Udvartana with Kolakulatthadi Churna 3days, Sarvanga Abhyanga with Ksheerbala Taila followed by Nadi Sweda with Dashamoola Kwatha for 14 days and Matra Basti with Ksheerbala Taila for 7days along with oral administration of Abhaya Ghrita. Total duration of the therapy was 90 days including 3 course of treatment with an interval of 15 days. Assessment was done using Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Gross Motor Function Manual (GMFM) and CP-quality of life (CP-QOL) Scale. Results - Gross motor function scale has shown improvement in terms of crawling and kneeling, standing and walking and running domain. No change was observed in spasticity, while mild change was observed in quality of life of the patient in terms of communication, participation and health aspects. Discussion - Vata get pacified by procedure based therapy and oral administration of Abhaya Ghrita in a child with CP which in turn improves the gross motor functions and the quality of life of the patient. Thus, it can be concluded that the Ayurveda approach is effective in improving the clinical condition of the patient with cerebral palsy.

Keywords: Abhaya Ghrita, Cerebral Palsy, Gross Motor Functions Manual (GMFM), Quality of Life (QOL).