Preprint / Version 1

Relationships among classifications of ayurvedic medicine diagnostics for imbalances and western measures of psychological states: An exploratory study

Authors

  • Paul Mills aDepartment of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
  • Christine Peterson aDepartment of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
  • Kathleen Wilson aDepartment of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
  • Meredith Pung aDepartment of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
  • Sheila Patel aDepartment of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
  • Lizabeth Weiss bThe Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Carlsbad, CA, USA
  • Suhas Kshirsagar cAyurvedic Healing, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
  • Rudolph Tanzi dMassachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
  • Deepak Chopra aDepartment of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

Keywords:

Vikruti, Dosha, Mood, Anxiety, Quality of life

Abstract

According to Ayurveda, the traditional medical system of India, doshas are a combination of characteristics based on a five-element philosophy that drive our mental and physical tendencies. When the doshas, or functional principles, are out of balance in quality or quantity, wellbeing is adversely affected and symptoms manifest. Objective This study examined relationships among imbalances in the doshas (termed Vikruti) reported via questionnaire and Western measures of psychological states. Materials and methods Study participants were 101 women (n = 81) and men (n = 20), mean age 53.9 years (SD = 11.7; range 32–80). Participants completed questionnaires to categorize their Vikruti type and psychological states, which included depressed mood (CESD), anxiety (PROMIS), rumination & reflection (RRQ), mindfulness (MAAS), stress (PSS), and quality of life (Ryff). Results Multivariate general linear modeling, controlling for age, gender and body mass index (BMI), showed that Vata imbalance was associated with more anxiety (p ≤ 0.05), more rumination (p ≤ 0.01), less mindfulness (p ≤ 0.05), and lower overall quality of life (p ≤ 0.01). Pitta imbalance was associated with poorer mood (p ≤ 0.01) and less mindfulness (p ≤ 0.05), more anxiety (p ≤ 0.05) and stress (p ≤ 0.05). Kapha imbalance was associated with more stress (p ≤ 0.05), more rumination (p ≤ 0.05) and less reflection (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest that symptoms of mind-body imbalances in Ayurveda are differentially associated with western assessments of psychological states. Ayurvedic dosha assessment may be an effective way to assess physical as well as emotional wellbeing in research and clinical settings. Keywords: Vikruti, Dosha, Mood, Anxiety, Quality of life

Author Biographies

Sheila Patel, aDepartment of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

bThe Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Carlsbad, CA, USA

Deepak Chopra, aDepartment of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

bThe Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Carlsbad, CA, USA

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