Management of spastic diplegic cerebral palsy using ayurveda

Spastic cerebral palsy is a leading cause of childhood disability, with spastic diplegia being one of the most common subtypes and multidisciplinary approach in integrated form will be useful for reducing spasticity. Integrative intervention may provide less harmful and easy mode of treatment for CP children. Therefore, it is of interest to observe the effect of Ayurvedic treatment with Swarna Prashan on reducing spasticity in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. An observational pre-post study was conducted at AIIMS Bhopal over 12 weeks and the total duration of study was 12 months. Twenty children aged 6 months to 10 years with pre-diagnosed spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (Modified Ashworth Scale ≤ 3) were included. Interventions comprised of oral Swarna Prashan and Panchakarma therapy (Mahanarayan and Mahamaash oil massage) every 2 weeks for 12 weeks. Spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale), gross motor function (GMFCS-E & R) and anthropometric parameters were recorded pre- and post-intervention.