ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Tennis elbow is a common musculoskeletal disease of elbow and causes restricted movement of forearm. Various treatment modalities like NSAID, corticosteroid injection, counter bracing, physiotherapy, surgery etc are available but safety and efficacy of one treatment over another is under research. Ayurveda classifies this condition as Snayugata vata. According to Sushruta, Agnikarma (thermal cautery) is the one among the treatment modalities for Snayugata vata. Previously published randomised controlled trials have shown that therapeutic ultrasound is safe and effective for tennis elbow. However, the comparative efficacy of these two treatment modalities is unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study compares the effects of Agnikarma (AGK) with Therapeutic Ultrasound (TUS) in reducing pain, tenderness and restores the ability to do various tasks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients were enrolled in the study as an open-label, double-armed, prospectively designed comparative clinical study, with 15 patients in each group. Group AGK received two sittings of Agnikarma and Group TUS received therapeutic ultrasound. To analyze the patients, three outcome measures were adopted: pain intensity, assessed with a Numerical Pain Rating Scale, tenderness - Grade 0 to Grade 4 (mentioned in Hutchinson's clinical methods) and pain and functional Disability assessed with the Patient Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) questionnaire. Assessment was done on 0th, 8th, 15th, 30th and 60th day. RESULT: Tennis elbow can be effectively treated with AGK and TUS. (p < 0.001 for pain, tenderness and PRTEE). While comparing between the groups, on 8th day and 15th day statistically significant difference in pain and PRTEE (p < 0.05) was noted between AGK and TUS groups. Agnikarma showed better results than therapeutic ultrasound in pain management and showed an improved quality of life from 8th day onwards and for a period up to 2 months. CONCLUSION: Both Agnikarma and therapeutic ultrasound have roles in the management of tennis elbow. However, starting on the 8th day and continuing for up to 2 months, Agnikarma showed a significant benefit in pain management and improved status for quality of life.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Background Post-operative pain is the major consequence of Ksarasutra, Seton technique employed in Ayurvedic management of Low anal fistula. Surgeons are forced to prescribe Opioids and NSAIDs with pronounced untoward effects. Non pharmacological measures like Balneotherapy are used to improve circulation and relieve spasm in contemporary sciences. Aim To compare the efficacy of Khadira (Acacia catechu) and Sphatika (Potash alum) hot sitzbath with plain hot sitzbath in patients of low anal fistula treated with Ksarasutra. Method The study was single blind, double armed; prospective, randomized control clinical trial in which 30 patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 15 each on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group A received hot sitzbath using Acacia catechu and alum infusion twice daily for 21 days. Group B received hot sitzbath using warm water for 21 days. The assessments were made on pain, post-surgical satisfaction burning sensation, tenderness, discharge, constipation, itching and incontinence. Result The disease was prevalent in the 4th decade of life, more in males (86.67%) involved in sedentary work (53.33%) residing in urban domicile, consuming mixed diet (100%). Both groups showed statistically significant improvement in outcome measures like pain, burning sensation, tenderness, discharge, constipation and itching. Conclusion On comparative analysis Acacia and Alum hot sitzbath was more effective in outcomes like pain, surgical satisfaction, burning sensation and discharge. There was no difference in the effect of both interventions with respect to outcome measures like constipation, itching and incontinence.
RESUMO Justificativa A dor pós-operatória é a principal consequência da técnica que utiliza seton de Ksarasutra no tratamento ayurvédico de fístula anal baixa. Os cirurgiões são impelidos a prescrever opiáceos e AINEs que possuem efeitos indesejáveis pronunciados. Medidas não farmacológicas como a balneoterapia são usadas nas ciências contemporâneas para melhorar a circulação e aliviar o espasmo. Objetivo Comparar a eficácia do banho quente de assento com Khadira (Acacia catechu) e Sphatika (Potash alum) com apenas banho de assento em pacientes com fístula anal baixa tratados com Ksarasutra. Método Estudo clínico prospectivo, cego e controlado de dois braços randomizados, no qual 30 pacientes foram alocados aleatoriamente em dois grupos de 15 pacientes cada com base nos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. O Grupo A recebeu banho de assento com Acacia catechu e infusão de alume duas vezes ao dia por 21 dias. O Grupo B recebeu banho de assento com água morna por 21 dias. Os desfechos avaliados foram dor, satisfação pós-cirúrgica, sensação de queimação, sensibilidade, corrimento, constipação, prurido e incontinência. Resultado A doença foi prevalente na 4ª década de vida, mais frequente no sexo masculino (86,67%), nos envolvidos em trabalho sedentário (53,33%), nos residentes em domicílios urbanos e nos que consumiam dieta mista (100%). Ambos os grupos apresentaram melhora estatisticamente significativa na avaliação dos resultados, tais como dor, sensação de queimação, sensibilidade, corrimento, constipação e prurido. Conclusão Na análise comparativa, o banho quente de assento com acácia e alume foi mais eficaz nos desfechos de dor, satisfação cirúrgica, sensação de queimação e corrimento. Não houve diferença em relação ao efeito de ambas as intervenções sobre os desfechos de constipação, prurido e incontinência.
