Abstract

A CLINICAL STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF ASANAS ON MUSCLE STRENGTH IN PATIENTS OF POST STROKE HEMIPLEGIA (PAKSHAGHATA)

Dr. Vaishali Arya* and Dr. K. N. Singh

Abstract

The function of Mamsa dhatu (muscle tissue) is plastering or lepana(binding). Muscles are like a gelatinous covering and serve to coverand give strength to basic bodily frame. They give capacity to workand action. When Mamsa dhatu (muscle tissue) is deficient one lackscohesion and integration of body structure. When it is in sufficientquantity, courage, confidence and strength, along with the capacity foropenness, forgiveness and happiness comes. The term Mamsa itselfcomes from the root „mam‟ meaning to hold firm. It was found that thestrength of muscles became weak and atrophied in many diseases, forexample, as seen in Pakshaghata (Post Stroke Hemiplegia) which is aVata disorder. A stroke patient may have problems with the simplest of daily activities, suchas walking, dressing, eating, and using the bathroom. Muscles nevertheless, play a key role insome movement and knowledge of this is of considerable importance in the diagnosis ofmuscle paralysis- an essential element in determining the presence, site, and degree of injuryto nerves. Human body has also been considered as most vulnerable because AcharyaCharaka had stated “Leaving everything else, one should maintain the body, becauseeverything available in the world is due to this body, if it got destroyed nothing can beachieved from this world.” In the body, the practice of Yogic Asanas promotes positive healthto prevent debilitating disorders. In the present study, Asanas are practiced by the hemiplegicpatients and healthy volunteers and after follow ups muscle strength is measured. For clinicalstudy total 120 cases were registered. 120 cases were divided into two groups of 60 caseseach. Out of 120 cases 60 cases from OPD of Neurology, S.S. Hospital, BHU and 60 casesfrom Department of Rachana Sharir IMS, BHU. Patients of group A were randomly selected diagnosed cases of Pakshaghata (Post stroke Hemiplegia) and cases of group B were randomly selected healthy individuals (Randomized Sampling - Unrestricted Randomized Stratified Method). Both groups further divided into two subgroups: 1) Group A (Gr-A1-patient control and Gr-A2-patient intervention) and 2) Group B (Gr-B1-volunteer control and Gr-B2-volunteer intervention), consisting of 30 in each. In the present study, all the two intervention groups were advised to do the practice a set of selected Asanas for the period of 4 months. After the period of 4 months, it was noticed that muscle strength is increased in patients as well as in healthy volunteer intervention groups.

Keywords: Mamsa dhatu; muscle; muscle strength; Pakshaghata; Post Stroke Hemiplegia etc.