ROLE OF STROKE UNIT CARE WITH PANCHAKARMA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF STROKE: AN OBSERVATIONAL CASE SERIES

Abstract

The prevalence of stroke in India ranges from 40 - 270 per 100 000 population. Stroke patients who receive stroke unit care are more likely to get better relief than conventional care. S troke unit care doesn’t include Ayurvedic treatment in their protocol but i t is common for stroke patient to seek help of alternative medicine especially A yurvedic panchakarma therapies. The present study is an observational case series on stroke patients who received treatment at stroke unit care. The present study was planned t o assess the role of stroke unit care along with panchakarma in the management o f stroke. Total 1 5 stable stroke patients were observed for 14 days , who received internal mo dern medication, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy along with panchakarma . Total two assessments were carried out. First assessment was taken on the fi rst day of starting panchakarma therapy along with standard stroke unit care . Second assessment was carried out after 14 days of first assessment. A criterion of assessment was based on the scoring of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIH SS) and Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS - QOL); Paired‘t’ test was used for statistical evaluation. Stroke unit care with panchakarma has provided 63.49 % relief (P < 0.001) on NIH SS and 77.6 % relief (P < 0.001) on SS QOL. Maximum number of patients (53 .33 % and 40 %) got moderate improvement on NIH SS and SS QOL respectively . Stroke unit care with panchakarma seems to be beneficial and better option in the management of stroke.