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

ABSTRACT

Background: According to Ayurveda, the traditional medical system of India, doshas are a combination ofcharacteristics based on a five-element philosophy that drive our mental and physical tendencies. Whenthe doshas, or functional principles, are out of balance in quality or quantity, wellbeing is adverselyaffected and symptoms manifest.Objective: This study examined relationships among imbalances in the doshas (termed Vikruti) reportedvia questionnaire and Western measures of psychological states.Materials and methods: Study participants were 101 women (n ¼ 81) and men (n ¼ 20), mean age 53.9years (SD ¼ 11.7; range 32e80). Participants completed questionnaires to categorize their Vikruti typeand 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 associatedwith 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) andless 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 bean effective way to assess physical as well as emotional wellbeing in research and clinical settings.© 2018 Transdisciplinary University, Bangalore and World Ayurveda Foundation. Publishing Services byElsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)