Impact of cold mud pack on abdomen and eyes on the autonomic control of heart rate

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mud therapy is a system of Naturopathic medicine where treatment is given using various forms of mud. Simultaneous application of cold Mud packs to abdomen and eyes is one of the most common treatment modalities in Naturopathy. Hence present study aims to evaluate the physiological effects of simultaneous application cold mud pack over abdomen and eyes by determining the cardiovascular and autonomic parameters of the study participants. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: 30 healthy volunteers were recruited for the study. All the volunteers were subjected to two sessions of treadmill run up to 10 minutes and subsequently on supine rest. Their first session was considered under Control trial, during which they were given a dry abdomen and eye pack after the treadmill run for 20 minutes. With a gap of 15 days in between, in the experimental trial they were given cold mud pack to abdomen and eyes during the supine rest after the treadmill run. HRV Assessments were done during the intervention and their BP and pulse were recorded immediate after the intervention. RESULTS: In the present study among the two evaluations, all HRV parameters in time domain and HF of frequency domain remain increased during the mud pack trial. Whereas LF of frequency domain, LF/HF ratio, HR and PR during mud pack trial is found to decrease. Blood Pressure (SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) also got reduced. This is suggestive of improvement in the sympatho-vagal balance reflecting parasympathetic domination produced among the subjects after Mud pack intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous application of cold mud packs on the abdomen and eyes enhances the parasympathetic activity and could have a role in maintaining the cardiac tone and preventing various cardiovascular ailments

EVIDENCE FOR NATUROPATHIC AND YOGIC INTERVENTIONS TO AUGMENT THE EFFECTS OF ART CARE AS AN ADJUVANT THERAPY- A PARALLEL MATCHED CONTROL STUDY

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming a pillar in the rehabilitative efforts for many people living with HIV AIDS (PLWHA). The efficacy of naturopathic and yoga intervention, a CAM therapy is an area to be explored in rehabilitation of PLWHA. Aim: The present study, a parallel matched control study to was designed to compare the efficacy of naturopathic and yogic interventions as an adjuvant therapy with standard Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) to PLWHA. Methods: Twenty matched subjects were screened for the study based on the criteria: HIV positive subjects aged between 25 to 55 years, both sexes, no secondary infections, under ART care, last CD4 estimate done on June 2014. The intervention group (IG) underwent Naturopathic and yogic intervention along with ART in a HIV sanatorium for a month followed by periodical follow up and control group (CG) received only ART. The outcome measure was a change in CD4 count. Results: After the end of 6 month, the IG showed significant changes CD4 cell count (p=3.96E-05). The CG also showed a significant improvement in CD4 cell counts (p= 0.024) but not of the same magnitude as of IG. An independent t-test between the groups has shown that the IG was more significant (p=0.047). Conclusion: The improved levels of CD4 cells in the intervention group suggests that naturopathy and yoga can augment the efficiency of ART care and can be safely prescribed to PLWHA and prescribed as a adjuvant therapy. KEYWORDS: HIV care; Naturopathy; Yoga; ART; CD4 count

EVIDENCE FOR NATUROPATHIC AND YOGIC INTERVENTIONS TO AUGMENT THE EFFECTS OF ART CARE AS AN ADJUVANT THERAPY- A PARALLEL MATCHED CONTROL STUDY

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming a pillar in the rehabilitative efforts for many people living with HIV AIDS (PLWHA). The efficacy of naturopathic and yoga intervention, a CAM therapy is an area to be explored in rehabilitation of PLWHA. Aim: The present study, a parallel matched control study to was designed to compare the efficacy of naturopathic and yogic interventions as an adjuvant therapy with standard Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) to PLWHA. Methods: Twenty matched subjects were screened for the study based on the criteria: HIV positive subjects aged between 25 to 55 years, both sexes, no secondary infections, under ART care, last CD4 estimate done on June 2014. The intervention group (IG) underwent Naturopathic and yogic intervention along with ART in a HIV sanatorium for a month followed by periodical follow up and control group (CG) received only ART. The outcome measure was a change in CD4 count. Results: After the end of 6 month, the IG showed significant changes CD4 cell count (p=3.96E-05). The CG also showed a significant improvement in CD4 cell counts (p= 0.024) but not of the same magnitude as of IG. An independent t-test between the groups has shown that the IG was more significant (p=0.047). Conclusion: The improved levels of CD4 cells in the intervention group suggests that naturopathy and yoga can augment the efficiency of ART care and can be safely prescribed to PLWHA and prescribed as a adjuvant therapy. KEYWORDS: HIV care; Naturopathy; Yoga; ART; CD4 count

Prognostic importance of the 6 min walk test in light chain (AL) amyloidosis

OBJECTIVES: In AL amyloidosis, organ response assessment is based on surrogates (eg, cardiac biomarkers). An objective functional test, such as the 6 min walk test (6MWT), capturing overall clinical improvement, is required. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of the 6MWT at baseline and change following chemotherapy. METHODS: This study evaluated the outcomes of patients who enrolled in a prospective observational study at the UK National Amyloidosis Centre (2012-2017). Patients underwent comprehensive assessments inclusive of blood testing, echocardiogram and 6MWT at baseline and annually thereafter. RESULTS: In total, 799 patients were included within the study. Median baseline 6 min walk distance (6MWD) was 362 m (IQR: 231 m). 6MWD progressively decreased with worsening cardiac disease stage (458 m, 404 m, 331 m and 168 m for cardiac Mayo stages I, II, IIIa and IIIb, respectively (p<0.0001)). In patients with a baseline 6MWT of ≥350 m, the median overall survival was not reached (vs 30.0 (95% CI 23.2 to 36.8) months if <350 m and 5.0 (95% CI 2.8 to 7.2) months if unable to attempt 6MWT (p<0.0001). Following chemotherapy, only patients in a complete haematological response improved their 6MWD by 12 months (p=0.001). Improvement in 6MWD prolonged survival in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: The 6MWT is prognostic in AL amyloidosis. A baseline distance of ≥350 m independently predicts better survival. These data suggest that 6MWT has utility in AL amyloidosis for baseline prognosis and assessing response

Panax ginseng Modulates Cytokines in Bone Marrow Toxicity and Myelopoiesis: Ginsenoside Rg1 Partially Supports Myelopoiesis

In this study, we have demonstrated that Korean Panax ginseng (KG) significantly enhances myelopoiesis in vitro and reconstitutes bone marrow after 5-flurouracil-induced (5FU) myelosuppression in mice. KG promoted total white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil and platelet counts and improved body weight, spleen weight, and thymus weight. The number of CFU-GM in bone marrow cells of mice and serum levels of IL-3 and GM-CSF were significantly improved after KG treatment. KG induced significant c-Kit, SCF and IL-1 mRNA expression in spleen. Moreover, treatment with KG led to marked improvements in 5FU-induced histopathological changes in bone marrow and spleen, and partial suppression of thymus damage. The levels of IL-3 and GM-CSF in cultured bone marrow cells after 24 h stimulation with KG were considerably increased. The mechanism underlying promotion of myelopoiesis by KG was assessed by monitoring gene expression at two time-points of 4 and 8 h. Treatment with Rg1 (0.5, 1 and 1.5 µmol) specifically enhanced c-Kit, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression in cultured bone marrow cells. Our results collectively suggest that the anti-myelotoxicity activity and promotion of myelopoiesis by KG are mediated through cytokines. Moreover, the ginsenoside, Rg1, supports the role of KG in myelopoiesis to some extent

Effect Of Yoga and Intermittent Fasting on The Health-Related Quality of Life (Sf-12) Among Naturopathy Covid Duty Doctors- A Self-Reported Questionnaire Study

Introduction: The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) becomes imperative as it monitors the health status of the population over a period of time and aids in comparison of the impact of altered health conditions and to identify such differences in health status amongst different social categories. The present study was carried out to assess the HRQoL among Naturopathy COVID duty doctors working across different centers in India using the SF 12 questionnaire and the factors which affect the different domains of good health who practiced Nature cure remedies (fasting and regular Yoga). Material and methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among Naturopathy COVID duty doctors using an online google form with SF 12 questionnaire. A total of 212 Naturopaths participated in the survey. Pearson’s correlation was done between the demographic data, fasting and Yoga practices along with the SF 12 questionnaire. Results: Among the total 212 respondents; 72(34.0%) were males and 140(66.0%) were females. Around 15.6% practiced Yoga for less than 3 times a week. Only 1.9% did not perform Yoga at all since their COVID duties. Fasting as a means of regular prevention to avoid COVID was practiced by 53.3% of the study participants. Significantly more cases with 5-10 years of work experience practice fasting meticulously (60/212) as compared to the others. All the 31 positive cases performed Yoga for &gt;3times/week. Of the total 212; 162(76.4%) of them took some form of AYUSH prophylaxis for COVID. There was a strong positive correlation between practices of fasting/YOGA with absence of COVID infection and also with the SF 12 parameters among the present study participants. Conclusion: A Nature cure regimen module in the present economic and health care scarcity is the need of the hour which should be implemented as the first stage of prevention

The impact of cold mud pack on abdomen and eyes on the autonomic control of heart rate

Mud therapy is a system of naturopathic medicine where treatment is given using various forms of mud. Hence, the present study aims to evaluate the physiological effects of simultaneous application cold mud pack over the abdomen and eyes by determining the cardiovascular and autonomic parameters of the study participants. 30 healthy volunteers were recruited for the study. All volunteers were subjected to two sessions of treadmill run up to 10 minutes and subsequently to supine rest. Their first session was considered under control trial, during which they were given a dry abdomen and an eye pack after the treadmill run for 20 minutes. With a gap of 15 days in between, in the experimental trial, they were given a cold mud packs to the abdomen and eyes during the supine rest after the treadmill run. HRV Assessments were done during the intervention and their BP and pulse were recorded immediately after the intervention. All HRV parameters in the time domain and HF in frequency domain remain increased during the mud pack trial.&nbsp

Study to evaluate the changes in polycystic ovarian morphology after naturopathic and yogic interventions

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the commonest endocrine disorders in women, with a prevalence ranging from 2.2% to 26% in India. Patients with PCOS face challenges including irregular menstrual cycles, hirsutism, acne, acanthosis nigricans, obesity and infertility. 9.13% of South Indian adolescent girls are estimated to suffer from PCOS. The efficacy of Yoga & Naturopathy (Y&N) in the management of polycystic ovarian syndrome requires to be investigated. Aims: The aim of the present study is to observe the morphological changes in polycystic ovaries of patients following 12 weeks of Y&N intervention. Settings and Design: The study was conducted at the Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, India. The study was a single blinded prospective, pre-post clinical trial. Methods and Material: Fifty PCOS patients of age between 18 and 35 years who satisfied the Rotterdam criteria were recruited for the study. According to their immediate participation in the study they were either allocated to the intervention group (n=25) or in the wait listed control group (n=25). The intervention group underwent Y&N therapy for 12 weeks. Change in polycystic ovarian morphology, anthropometric measurements and frequency of menstrual cycle were studied before and after the intervention. Results: Significant improvement was observed in the ovarian morphology (P<0.001) and the anthropometric measurements (P<0.001) between the two groups. Conclusions: The findings of the study indicate that Y&N interventions are efficient in bringing about beneficial changes in polycystic ovarian morphology. We speculate that a longer intervention might be required to regulate the frequency of menstrual cycle

A Real-Time IVR Platform for Community Radio

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platforms have been widely deployed in resource-limited settings. These systems tend to afford asynchronous push interactions, and within the context of health, provide medication reminders, descriptions of symptoms and tips on self-management. Here, we present the development of an IVR system for resource-limited settings that enables real-time, synchronous interaction. Inspired by community radio, and calls for health systems that are truly local, we developed "Sehat ki Vaani". Sehat ki Vaani is a real-time IVR platform that enables hosting and participation in radio chat shows on community-led topics. We deployed Sehat ki Vaani with two communities in North India on topics related to the management of Type 2 diabetes and maternal health. Our deployments highlight the potential for synchronous IVR systems to offer community connection and localised sharing of experience, while also highlighting the complexity of producing, hosting and participating in radio shows in real time through IVR. We discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of synchronous IVR systems, and highlight lessons learnt for interaction design in this area