EVALUATING THE COMBINED EFFICACY OF BRAHMYADI CHURNA AND ASHVAGANDHA CHURNA WITH SATWAVJAYA CHIKITSA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHITTODVEGA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER: AN OPEN-LABELLED RANDOMIZED COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY

Generalised anxiety disorder is the most frequent anxiety disorder which we come across in clinical practice. In Ayurveda, there are so many varied opinions on the concept of anxiety disorder conditions like Chittodvega, Attatvabhininivesha, Anavasthitha Chittathva etc. correlated with generalized anxiety disorder. Chittodvega is mentioned as one of the Poorvarupa lakshanas of Unmada. It includes symptoms like Shira shoonyata, Chakshuraakulata, karna swana, Uchwasadikyam, Ayasa, Anannabhilasha, Arochaka, Avipaka, Satatam Loma harsha etc, which are the symptoms commonly seen in patients with Generalised anxiety disorder. Patients with GAD typically present with excessive anxiety about ordinary, day-to day situations. The anxiety is intrusive, causes distress or functional impairment, and often encompasses multiple domains. Hence this study was taken up to evaluate the combined efficacy of Brahmyadi Churna and Ashvagandha churna along with Satwavjaya Chikitsa in the management of Chittodvega with special reference to Generalised anxiety disorder. Acharyas have mentioned different Medhya Rasayanas for the management of mental illness and also Satwavajaya Chikitsa is a unique non-pharmacological approach for treating the mental disorders. Satwavajaya Chikitsa mentioned among Trividha Chikitsa by Acharya Charaka not only prevents the impairments of Dhee, Dhriti and Smriti but also brings them back to the normal state, playing a significant role in the maintenance of harmonious state between these three factors ultimately leading to happy healthy state of individual.[7] Whereas Ashvagandha Churna is proven to have anxiolytic properties.[8] In the present study, 30 subjects diagnosed with the Chittodvega W.S.R to Generalised anxiety disorder were randomly selected and assigned to two equal groups Group A and Group B with 15 subjects each. Group A was administered with Ashvagandha Churna in the dose of 6gms with honey, morning and night after food along with Satwavjaya Chikitsa for 28 days where as Group B was given with Brahmyadi Churna in the dose of 6gms with honey morning and night after food along with Satwavjaya Chikitsa for 28 days. Both groups were assessed on 0th day (pre-treatment assessment), 28th day (post-treatment assessment) and also on the 43rd day (after 15 days of non intervention period).