Pre and post test clinical study to assess the combined effect of Brahmigritha-Nasya, Ksheerabalataila-Abhyanga and Saraswatha-Churna in reducing the symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder on Hamilton anxiety rating scale

Abstract

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is the most frequently occurring anxiety disorder. It is characterized by tension, persistent worry about a variety of everyday problems and other anxiety symptoms for at least 6 months. Although there have been significant improvements over the years in its treatment, GAD remains the least successfully treated among anxiety disorders. This paper aims to explore the efficacy of Ayurvedic treatment protocol in providing a remedy for GAD. A clinical trial was conducted with 20 patients in the proposed age group of 20 years to 60 years, diagnosed with GAD according to ICD 10 F 41.1 Criteria, and having a score between 17-24 (mild to moderate) on Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. The patients were administered 7 days of Sarvanga-Abhyanga (full body massage) with Ksheerabalataila and Brahmigritha-Nasya, followed by internal intake of Saraswatha-Churna for 21 days. The assessment was done using Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale at baseline and after treatment. Patients ranged in the age from 27 to 60 years. Maximum incidence of the disease was seen in the age-wise classification group 20-29 years. There were 8 male subjects and 12 female subjects. After 28 days of treatment, the mean scores of Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, which was 21 before treatment, reduced to 9.8 with a mean difference of 11.2 and a statistically significant p-value of 0.01. Thus the present protocol was effective in reducing the symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder within a short time-span and without producing any side effects.