Ayurvedic management of cerebral palsy in children- case study.

Abstract

Cerebral palsy is a diagnostic term used to describe a group of permanent disorders of movement and posture. It causes limitations in motor activities. It is a non-progressive disorder caused by an insult to the developing brain.^[1] CP is caused by a broad group of developmental, genetic, metabolic, ischemic, infectious, and other acquired aetiologies.^[2] Data from the centers for disease control and prevention indicate that the incidence is 3.6 per 1000 children Male: Female ratio is 1.4:1. In Ayurveda classics, there is no accurate correlation with CP. It can be considered as a Vata-Vyadhias far as its etiology and symptomology are concerned. Shodhana chikitsa and Shamana chikitsa are two main therapeutic measures in Vata-Vyadhi. Various panchakarma procedures like Sarvanga Abhyanga (Full body massage with medicated oil), Nadi Sweda(Localised Sudation), Basti (Oil and decoction enema), Nasya (intranasal drug administration), etc are found beneficial in the management of CP in children.^[3] The case study of a 3-year-old male child with spastic CP is treated with multiple ayurvedic treatment modalities. The total period of treatment was 75 days and the result was assessed by progress in delayed milestone, Anthropometrical measurement, Modified Ashworth scale, muscle power grading, and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) scale, etc. ^[4] Panchakarma is the major treatment for CP and result indicated that patient improved in presenting condition by 30% to 40%. The ayurvedic treatment provides an improvement in gross motor and fine motor activities in children suffering from CP and thereby improving their quality of life and healthy living.