The assessment of the efficacy of shirodhara in treatment of vishada (Depression).

Title:- The assessment of the efficacy of shirodhara in treatment of vishada (Depression).       

Dr. Anjali Damle had submitted her dissertation to Pune University for the P. G. degree M.D. (Panchkarma) in the year 2002. Her guide was Dr. Rajendra Huparikar & Research center was Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Pune, (M.S.) India.

          Dr. Anjali Damle in her research work tried to assess efficacy of shirodhara in treatment of depression.

          Total 31 patients were included for clinical study, 5 patients were dropped out. Patients having psychosis & any organic brain syndrome were excluded.

          Tila taila was used for shirodhara. 1 liter of oil was used in seven days. Time of administration of shirodhara was in the morning between 7 a.m. to 12.00 noon, for 15 to 90 mins & for 15 days.

          Procedure carried out was as follows-

Patient was asked to lay down in supine position, coved with cotton towel. Lightly closed eyes were covered with the cotton strips. Pot was arranged at mid eye brow point, three inches above the layer of skin. Lukewarm Tila taila was pored in pot & stream of the oil was concentrated at the mid eye brow point. Light swing was given to the pot to cover more regions of the head. Oil was recollected & rewarmed & refilled in the pot to recycle dhara continuously. Procedure was continued till 15 to 90 min. Cotton pieces were removed slowly. Patient was allowed to stay 10 min in the same position. Patient was instructed to avoid exercise, intercourse, and exhausting schedule as much as possible.

          Assessment of the patient was done as follows-

The universal Hamaltans depression rating scale was used.

Gradation was decided according to severity of symptoms.

Study was concluded as follows-

When Shirodhara was given with seasame oil for 15 days ,it showed quite improvement in the patients of Depression ( Vishada)

Shirodhara had significant effect on prana vayu