Effect of Hijama (wet cupping), Dalk (massage) and Bukhur (medicated steam) in amelioration of Waja al-Zahr (non-specific low back pain) - an open prospective clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Low back pain is the most widespread musculoskeletal ailment and a common cause of disability worldwide. Conventional medicine typically treats low back pain with a combination of physical therapy; activity modification and rest; pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications which are associated with huge socioeconomic implications and adverse drug reactions. In contrast Hijama, Dalk and Bukhur are ancient medical techniques recommended in the management of musculoskeletal disorders with little or no adverse effects. To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Hijama bi'l Shart (wet cupping), followed by Dalk (Massage) with Roghan Dafli and Bukhur (medicated steam) with Tukhm Soya (Anethum graveolens Linn) in patients of Waja al-Zahr (Non-specific Low back pain). METHODS: Patients of either gender in the age group of 18-50 years with low back pain persisting for four weeks or more as chief complaint were recruited in the trial. The study was GCP compliant. The duration of the protocol therapy carried out was 14 days. RESULTS: Ninty two patients of NSLBP were screened, of which 34 who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were willing to participate in the study were recruited. Three participants were lost to follow-ups due to personal reasons and 31 patients completed the trial during the study period. Overall therapeutic response observed in this study was 97% while 3% of the patients did not respond to intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings imply that there is a credible evidence to ensure that the regimens intervened are safe and effective in ameliorating the symptoms of Waja al-Zahr.

Lithotriptic effect of Safuf Hajar-al Yahud in patients of Hasat-ul Kilya (Nephrolithiasis) - an open prospective clinical validation trial.

BACKGROUND: Hasat-ul Kilya (Nephrolithiasis) is one of the most common chronic conditions and has been known to the mankind since antiquity. The incidence is increasing globally with geographic, racial and gender variation in its occurrence. Medical management of Nephrolithiasis still poses a considerable challenge for modern medical practice. Unani drugs possessing lithotriptic activity are not only cost effective but also have least side effects. Safuf Hajar-al Yahud has been used since long for the treatment of Hasat-ul Kilya (Nephrolithiasis) but no documentary evidence based on scientific parameters as to its safety and efficacy are available. OBJECTIVE: To validate the safety and efficacy of Safuf Hajar-al Yahud in the treatment of Hasat-ul Kilya. METHODOLOGY: An open prospective clinical trial was carried out on 107 subjects of renal calculi of 3-7 mm diameter diagnosed by Ultrasonogram-KUB (USG-KUB). Subjects were evaluated by clinical history & examination, laboratory investigations followed by USG-KUB for confirmation. The safety was assessed by reporting of adverse events and by pathological and biochemical investigations. Assessment of efficacy was based on improvement observed in VAS score and expulsion/reduction of stone size as detected by USG-KUB. RESULTS: Substantial reduction (53%) in the size of calculi confirmed by USG-KUB and considerable lowering of VAS score (75%) were observed with the active intervention in majority of the cases. CONCLUSION: The trial has revealed that the Unani pharmacopoeal formulation Safuf Hajar-al Yahud was well tolerated and has the therapeutic potential in the reduction and expulsion of renal calculi.

Study on the correlation of premises condition index and the presence of larvae of aedes species mosquitoes in human dwellings of the cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India.

CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that this study helps in conducting rapid survey to identify the presence of Aedes larvae with a minimum number of staff for both inspection and treatment of Aedes larvae during the epidemic situation. OBJECTIVES: To predict dwellings for the presence of Aedes larvae rapidly based on Premises Condition Index (PCI) factors, we studied the possible presence of Aedes species mosquitoes larvae among houses in the Chidambaram urban of Cuddalore District in Tamil Nadu, India based on the scores of variables in PCI, namely House, Yard and degree of shadow. Data of these variables were collected in September and October 2006 from 1813 houses in the Chidambaram urban area during the intensive vector control activities employed for the prevention and control of Chikungunya. METHODS: The association between presence of larvae and the variables of PCI was tested by Chi-square and Correlation. The predictability of the presence of Aedes larvae based on PCI factors was computed by logistic regression. RESULTS: The study shows 301 containers in 132 houses were found positive with Aedes species out of 1813 houses surveyed. It was further observed that the probability of presence of positive premises was four times higher in the premises with 75% shadow compared with premises with a 25% shadow. These findings showed a significant association (p < 0.001) with positive premises.