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Management of spastic diplegic cerebral palsy using ayurveda
Ranjana Pandey1, Balgovind Tiwari2, Amber Kumar3
1Department of AYUSH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, India.
Insights
Ayurvedic treatments, including Swarna Prashan and Panchakarma, show promise in reducing spasticity in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. This integrative approach offers a potentially safer and easier treatment option for managing childhood disability.
Area of Science:
- Ayurvedic medicine
- Pediatric neurology
- Integrative medicine
Background:
- Spastic cerebral palsy (CP) is a primary cause of childhood disability.
- Spastic diplegia is a common subtype of CP.
- Multidisciplinary and integrative interventions may offer safer, easier treatment options for CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of Ayurvedic treatment, specifically Swarna Prashan, on spasticity in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.
- To assess changes in spasticity, motor function, and anthropometric parameters following Ayurvedic intervention.
Main Methods:
- An observational pre-post study was conducted over 12 months, with a 12-week intervention period.
- Twenty children (6 months to 10 years) with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (Modified Ashworth Scale ≤ 3) participated.
- Interventions included oral Swarna Prashan and Panchakarma (Mahanarayan and Mahamaash oil massage) bi-weekly for 12 weeks.
Main Results:
- Spasticity, assessed by the Modified Ashworth Scale, showed changes post-intervention.
- Gross motor function (GMFCS-E & R) and anthropometric parameters were also evaluated pre- and post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Ayurvedic interventions like Swarna Prashan and Panchakarma therapy may be beneficial in managing spasticity in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the efficacy and long-term benefits of these integrative approaches.
Abstract:
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.
