Ayurvedic Supportive Management of Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Parkinson's disease is the most common form of Parkinsonism and is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system, typically manifesting in the sixth decade of life. It is characterized by four cardinal features including tremor, rigidity, akinesia/bradykinesia and postural instability. Men are affected more often than women. Clinical features of Parkinson’s disease can be correlated with Kampa vata, which is classified among the Nanatmaja Vata Vyadhi. Kampa vata typically presents with features such as Dehabhramana (postural instability), Karapada-tala Kampa (tremors of the hands and legs), Matiksheena (cognitive decline), and Nidrabhanga (disturbed sleep). This case report describes a 66-year-old woman who presented with tremor in the left upper limb and stiffness of the left foot and toes, accompanied by slowness of body movements, reduction in the size of handwriting, and difficulty in walking with impaired gait. Based on the clinical manifestations and neurological examinations it was diagnosed as Parkinson’s disease. The symptoms had gradually progressed and were interfering with her routine daily activities inspite of taking Syndopa medication. Application of Ayurvedic principles to the underlying pathology reveals a distinct vitiation of Vata Doṣa associated with Avaraṇa. Ayurvedic treatment as a supportive management including Vata anulomana, Anuvasana vasti, Shirodhara, Dhanyamladhara, Snehapana and Nasya for a period of 30 days resulted in betterment of the condition. Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale changed from 70 to 31 and Hoehn and Yahr Scale from 4 to 2.5 from the time of admission to the time of discharge. The clinical outcome suggests a supportive role of Ayurveda in the management of Parkinson’s disease.