An Evaluation of Herbal Drug Compound for the Management of Janu Sandhishoola (Knee Joint Pain) with Special Reference to Osteoarthritis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53555/yjgge277Keywords:
Anti-inflammatory herbs, Ayurveda, Osteoarthritis, Pain, Sandhivata, VatarogaAbstract
Background: Janu Sandhishoola (knee joint pain), particularly associated with osteoarthritis, is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition causing significant functional impairment and reduced quality of life. Ayurvedic herbal formulations with Vatahara, Shothahara, and Vedanasthapana properties offer potential therapeutic benefits. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a classical Ayurvedic herbal drug compound in managing knee joint pain and associated symptoms in osteoarthritis patients.
Methods: A single-group pre-test post-test quasi-experimental design was employed with 20 participants (17 females, 3 males) diagnosed with Janu Sandhishoola. Participants received an Ayurvedic herbal compound (500 mg twice daily with plain water) for 45 days. Outcome measures included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), tenderness, and swelling assessments conducted at baseline and post-intervention. Three follow-up visits were conducted at 15-day intervals (Days 15, 30, and 45). Data were analyzed using paired samples t-tests, Sign Test, and chi-square tests with significance set at p < .05.
Results: Significant improvements were observed across all primary outcome measures. VAS pain scores showed remarkable reduction with a mean difference of 4.950 (95% CI [4.595, 5.305], t (19) = 29.160, p < .001). Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly by 10.650 mmHg (t(19) = 3.976, p = .001) and diastolic blood pressure by 5.950 mmHg (t(19) = 3.662, p = .002). Karnofsky Performance Status improved uniformly across all participants (100% positive differences, p < .001). No significant gender-based differences were observed in treatment outcomes, indicating universal effectiveness across both male and female participants.
Conclusion: The Ayurvedic herbal drug compound demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing knee joint pain, improving blood pressure parameters, and enhancing functional performance status in patients with Janu Sandhishoola associated with osteoarthritis. The intervention showed consistent benefits across gender groups with no adverse effects reported. These promising findings support the therapeutic potential of this classical Ayurvedic formulation and warrant further investigation through larger randomized controlled trials to establish definitive efficacy and long-term sustainability of treatment effects.
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