Preprint / Version 1

Ayurvedic Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Prospective Observational Study

Authors

  • J BAMS Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bengaluru, India
  • Avineet MSc Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bengaluru, India
  • Shrey MSc Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bengaluru, India
  • Prasan (Ayu.) Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bengaluru, India
  • Pitchaiah MSEE Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine and Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
  • Ravishankar (Ayu.) Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bengaluru, India
  • Sanjith DM Department of Neurology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India
  • Archana PhD Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bengaluru, India

Keywords:

Ayurveda, complementary and alternative medicine, integrative medicine, integrative neurology, stroke

Abstract

Short abstract The western medical arsenal for treating stroke is rather limited, and the only treatments shown to improve outcomes are not accessible to most in the third world. Even in the developed world, many patients present too late to receive thrombolysis or thrombectomy. Stroke patients in India commonly use Ayurvedic therapies, but there are no published data regarding the efficacy or safety of these therapies, the latter being of particular concern in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Objective To obtain preliminary data on the safety and efficacy of stand-alone whole-system Ayurvedic treatment in AIS. Methods We present here an observational study prospectively comparing outcomes in 2 cohorts of AIS patients treated with whole-system classical Ayurveda (n = 13) or conservative (nonthrombolytic, noninterventional) western biomedicine (n = 20). Results Pooled analysis of outcomes did not show statistically significant differences in mortality (15.38% vs 15%, P = 1.00), nonfatal adverse event rates (15.38% vs 30%, P = .4), or functional disability measures. A paired analysis performed using a matching algorithm to reduce baseline disparities between the cohorts also showed no statistically significant differences in outcomes. Conclusions The safety profiles of classical Ayurveda and conservative western biomedicine in AIS are similar. This is the first ever report of stand-alone Ayurvedic therapy in AIS. Our results support the conduct of a randomized controlled trial to study the efficacy of Ayurvedic treatment of AIS. Keywords: Ayurveda, complementary and alternative medicine, integrative medicine, integrative neurology, stroke

Author Biographies

J BAMS , Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bengaluru, India

Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bengaluru, India

Prasan (Ayu.) , Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bengaluru, India

Sushruta Ayurveda Hospital, Puttur, India

Ravishankar (Ayu.) , Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bengaluru, India

Sushruta Ayurveda Hospital, Puttur, India

Archana PhD , Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bengaluru, India

Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine and Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas

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