Abstract

COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF ABHYANGA AND ABHYANGA COMBINED WITH PHYSIOTHERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF JANUSANDHIGATA VATA: A RANDOMIZED INTERVENTIONAL STUDY

Anagha Mathad*, B G Kulkarni, Prasanna Mathad and Amit Upasani

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the effectiveness of Abhyanga (Ayurvedic oil massage), both with and without the addition of physiotherapy, in alleviating the symptoms of Janu Sandhivata, commonly known as knee osteoarthritis (OA). Knee OA is a prevalent condition that leads to pain, stiffness, and restricted movement, significantly impacting quality of life. This randomized controlled trial enrolled forty patients diagnosed with Janu Sandhivata and divided them into two equal groups. Group A received a combined treatment of Abhyanga and a standardized physiotherapy program, while Group B received Abhyanga alone. Both groups underwent daily Abhyanga for a period of seven days. The study measured the impact of these treatments by evaluating changes in three key areas: pain levels, stiffness, and range of motion. Specifically, researchers used the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score to assess overall osteoarthritis symptoms, the visual analog scale (VAS) to quantify pain intensity, and goniometry to measure the range of motion in the affected knee joint. These assessments were conducted at the beginning of the seven-day treatment period (Baseline) and again at the end of the seven days, allowing for a comparison of the effectiveness of the two treatment approaches in managing Janu Sandhivata.

Keywords: Sandhivata, Physiotherapy, Abhyanga, Osteoarthritis.