Current Project Running Under Research & Development:
“ Lifestyle intervention through Naturopathy and Yoga for curtailing progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis ”
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory illness affects nearly 1% of the adult Indian population. It is an autoimmune disorder of unknown etiology characterized by joint erosions and destructions. The realization that RA is not a ‘benign’ disease has resulted in radical change in the treatment paradigm; early treatment with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy (DMARDs) improves both short and long term clinical, radiological and functional outcomes.
Recently Yoga and Naturopathy being practiced in Indian culture have received great deal of attention. Yoga and Naturopathy focuses on unifying the mind, body, and spirit and fostering a greater feeling connection between the individual and its surroundings. In addition, the controlled stretches in conjunction with deep breathing exercises relax and release the muscles that have seized up around the joints to protect them. Yoga is an ancient and enjoyable form of physical activity that improves strength, balance, flexibility, stress management and relaxation. We want to learn if people with rheumatoid arthritis may benefit from yoga and naturopathy.
The proposed randomized control study will be performed on 120 Patients and an additional 24 patients (20% of total sample size has been estimated for dropouts), These patients will randomly be assigned to three groups i.e.
Group I (48 patients) - Naturopathy and Yoga plus Allopathic medicine;
Group II (48 patients) - Yoga and Allopathic medicine;
Group III (48 patients) - Usual case control group only on Allopathic Medicine.
Parameters to be recorded: The blood samples will be taken prior to the intervention and after 1, 3, 6, 12 months for study of biochemical and inflammatory parameters. Blood samples for immunological parameters will be taken at baseline and at 12th month. The duration of trial is one year.
At the conclusion of this project, we will be well positioned to evaluate the effectiveness of Yoga and Naturopathy as an adjunct therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis. We can also study the effect of Naturopathy and Yoga modalities on quality of life, inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP), pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha, Rheumatoid Factor Titers, Anti-CCP antibodies and radiological changes. The study will help to find out the impact of Naturopathy and Yoga intervention on disease activity and functional capacity of the patient.
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