DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A SAMYAKA VAMANA ASSESSMENT SCORE (SVAS): A NOVEL TOOL FOR OBJECTIVE EVALUATION OF VAMANA KARMA

Background: Vamana Karma is a principal bio-purificatory procedure in Ayurveda. Traditionally, its adequacy is assessed using four classical parameters: Vaigiki, Maniki, Antiki, and Laingiki Shuddhi. However, objective assessment remains challenging due to the lack of a standardized composite scale. Aim: To develop and evaluate the Samyaka Vamana Assessment Score (SVAS), a 10-point composite scoring system, for the standardized assessment of Vamana adequacy, and to determine whether a higher SVAS score corresponds with better attainment of Samyaka Vamana. Materials and Methods: A 10-point scoring system was designed by assigning weighted values to the classical parameters. The tool was applied to a dataset of N = 42 patients who underwent Vamana Karma. SVAS scores were analyzed to evaluate distribution, procedure outcomes, and the utility of the composite score. Results: The mean SVAS score for the cohort was 7.64 ± 2.09. Samyaka Vamana (SVAS 8–10) was achieved by 57.14% (n = 24) of patients, Madhyama Vamana (SVAS 5–7) by 38.10% (n = 16), and Heena/Ayoga (SVAS 0–4) by 4.76% (n = 2). Conclusion: The SVAS successfully integrates multiple clinical observations into a single composite metric. The present study provides preliminary evidence regarding the utility of SVAS; further validation using a larger sample and an appropriate external clinical reference standard may be required.