Journal of Ayurveda (Jan 2023)

Ayurvedic therapy in management of autism spectrum disorder

  • Vijay Kumar Pathak,
  • N Masooda,
  • Arun Kumar Mahapatra,
  • Rajagopala Shrikrishna

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/joa.joa_27_22
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 4
pp. 329 – 336

Abstract

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Objective: The objective of this study is to review existing clinical trials in humans having Ayurveda-based treatment procedures for the management of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Data Source: Database review, with searches conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, AYUSH Research Portal, and DHARA. Search terms included “Autism Spectrum Disorder,” “ASD,” and “Ayurveda” articles dated between January 2000 and April 2020 were chosen. The inclusion criteria were trials in humans involving a treatment component “Ayurveda”-based treatment procedures as a remedy for “Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Review Method: Studies fulfilling inclusion criteria having “Ayurveda”-based treatment procedures as a remedy for “Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Were included. Conclusion: The disease ASD described in the conventional system of medicine resembles as Unmada disease elaborated in Ayurveda classics. There are very less studies reported on ASD available. Twenty-three articles were screened; six human clinical studies met inclusion criteria. Three studies used the Childhood Autism Rating Scale and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist Scale; other studies used the Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism, Clinical Global Impression, and Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC) for assessment of ASD. One study classified ASD into two types of Unmada based on Dosha predominance and used different lines of treatment accordingly. Almost all studies (five studies) used formulations having Medhya (nootropic) ingredients in form of Ghrita in ASD as internal medication. Shirolepa, Nasya, Abhyanga, Basti, and other Panchakarma procedures are well explored in ASD, whereas Sodhan procedure Vaman (therapeutic emesis), and Virechana (therapeutic purgation) are still unexplored. All the studies have shown the effectiveness of Ayurvedic management in relieving the signs and symptoms in children with ASD. There is no adverse effect of internal medication as well as Panchakarma procedure reported in these studies which depict safety of management.

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