A COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY ON THE EFFICACY OF KOLAKULATHADI CHURNA PINDA SWEDA VERSUS INFRA-RED RADIATION THERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF JANU SANDHIGATA VATA (KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS)

Background: Janu Sandhigata Vata, correlated with Knee Osteoarthritis (OA), is one of the most prevalent Vatavyadhis affecting the geriatric and middle-aged population, caused by Dhatukshaya and Vataprakopa. Knee OA affects 22–39% of the Indian population, with no proven disease-modifying agents available in conventional medicine. Kolakulathadi Churna Pinda Sweda, a form of Sankara Sweda combining Snehana and Swedana, and Infra-Red Radiation (IRR) therapy, a physiotherapy modality, are two widely used non-invasive interventions for this condition. Objective: To compare the efficacy of Kolakulathadi Churna Pinda Sweda (Group A) and Infra-Red Radiation Therapy (Group B) in the management of Janu Sandhigata Vata. Materials and Methods: An open-label comparative clinical study was conducted on 40 diagnosed patients of Janu Sandhigata Vata, allocated equally into two groups of 20 each. Group A received Kolakulathadi Churna Pinda Sweda and Group B received Infra-Red Radiation Therapy, both for 7 consecutive days, with assessment before treatment (BT), after treatment (AT, Day 7) and at follow-up (FU, Day 14). Subjective parameters (Sandhishoola, Sandhi Stabdhata, WOMAC Pain/Stiffness/Pain on Movement) and objective parameters (Sparshashayata, Sandhi Sphutana, Goniometer Flexion & Extension) were graded on a 0–3 scale. Data were analysed using paired and unpaired t-tests. Results: Both groups showed statistically highly significant improvement (p<0.001) in all nine parameters within the group. On between-group comparison, Group A showed significantly better outcomes in 2 of 9 parameters at AT and 4 of 9 parameters at FU. Overall, 50% of patients in Group A achieved marked improvement compared to only 5% in Group B. Conclusion: Both therapies are effective in Janu Sandhigata Vata; however, Kolakulathadi Churna Pinda Sweda demonstrated superior and more sustained relief compared to Infra-Red Radiation Therapy, attributable to its synergistic Snehana-Swedana action and deeper tissue penetration.