AN OPEN LABELLED CLINICAL TRIAL TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF MATRA BASTI WITH SUKUMARA GHRITA FOLLOWED BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF VAISHWANARA CHURNA IN THE MANGEMENT OF VIBANDHA VIS-A-VIS CONSTIPATION IN GERIATRIC AGE GROUP

Background: Constipation is a frequently reported bowel symptom in the elderly with considerable impact on quality of life and health expenses. Disease-related morbidity and even mortality have been reported in the affected frail elderly. Although constipation is not a physiologic consequence of normal aging, decreased mobility, medications, underlying diseases, and rectal sensory-motor dysfunction may all contribute to its increased prevalence in older adults. Direct and explicit description of Vibandha as a disease is not found in Ayurveda but different presentation of Purisha like Baddha Purisha, Ghana Purisha/Grathita Purisha, Sushka Purisha, Mala avabaddhata are found in different contexts of Ayurveda, these can be taken as various manifestations of Vibandha Objective Of The Study: To evaluate the effect of Matra basti with Sukumara ghrita, followed by the administration of Vaishwanara churna with ghrita in the management of Vibandha vis-a-vis constipation in geriatric population. Methods: A clinical study with pre-post design. Data was collected on before intervention ie 0 day,mid intervention ,after matrabasti ie 9th day and and after the complete course of intervention,after internal administration of vaishwanara churna ie on 31 st day.The data obtained were analysed statistically by applying descriptive statistics,Paired t test and Chi square test,using statistical presentation system software (SPSS) for windows. Intervention:Matra basti with sukumara ghrita for the first 8 consecutive days of intervention in the dose of 60 ml. After Matra basti, Vaishwanara churna with ghrita as anupana was administered internally in the dosage of 12 gms in two equally divided doses, before food, for 22 days. Total duration of the study was 30 days Bristol Stool form scale and Patient assessment of constipation-Quality of life were used to assess the pre and post data gathered through pre designed research proforma.The results having ‘pÂ' value of <0.001 was considered to be statistically highly significant in this study. Results: Overall assessment showed significant improvement in all the 32 subjects in this study. Interpretation and Conclusion: It can be concluded that Matra basti with sukumara ghrita followed by internal administration of Vaishwanara churna showed better results in Bristol Stool form scale and Patient assessment of constipaion- Quality of life.