Preprint / Version 1

Ayurvedic approach for improving reaction time of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder affected children

Authors

  • Harish Singhal Department of Bal Roga, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
  • Neetu Department of Rasa-Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Rishikul State Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Haridwar, Uttarakhanda, India.
  • Abhimanyu Kumar Department of Bal Roga, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
  • Moti Rai Department of Bal Roga, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Keywords:

ADHD, Vernier chronoscope, reaction time (RT), Shirodhara

Abstract

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder of children. It is the most common neurological disorder of childhood. The present study was conducted to examine the increase in attention span in 43 ADHD-affected children treated with different approaches. The reaction time was measured using a Vernier chronoscope (electronic). Selected children of both sexes in the age-group of 6–16 years were divided into three groups. In group A, 17 patients received syrup Ayurvedic compound I; in group B, 14 patients were treated with syrup Ayurvedic compound I + Shirodhara with milk; and in group C, 12 patients received syrup Ayurvedic compound II (placebo). The dose of the drug was 1.0 ml/kg body weight and the duration of treatment was 3 months. Group B showed highly significant (P<.001) improvement in total reaction time, while in group C the change was statistically nonsignificant P > 0.10. It was found that while the drug and Shirodhara were both effective in improving the reaction time of ADHD-affected children, the drug combined with Shirodhara was superior to the drug used alone. Keywords: ADHD, Vernier chronoscope, reaction time (RT), Shirodhara

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