Effects of Laghoo Shankaprakshalana (yogic colon cleansing) on anthropometric measurements in obese individuals.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is considered as one of the major public health burden and it is predictor of cardiovascular risk factor. Yoga is a mind-body medicine helps to promote health. This study was aimed to explore whether Laghoo Shankaprashalana (LS) reduce the body weight in obese individuals. METHODS: This was a single group pre-post study. A total of 40 subjects (9 Male, 31 Female) aged between 18 and 40 years were recruited. This study was conducted in government yoga and naturopathy medical college, Chennai. Subjects were practiced weekly once LS for eight weeks (eight sessions). Subjects were assessed pre and post on body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist hip ratio, pulse rate and blood pressure. Variables were analyzed using Paired sample t test except waist hip ratio, which were analyzed using Wilcoxon's signed ranks test. RESULTS: There was significant reduction in the body weight (p<0.001, 5.81 %), Body Mass Index (p<0.001, 5.88 %), Waist Circumference (p<0.001, 7.20 %), Hip Circumference (p<0.001, 5.04 %), and Waist Hip Circumference (p<0.001, 3.19 %) after LS. However, there was no statistical significance difference in pulse rate, blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Eight sessions of Laghoo Shankaprakshalana helps to reduces body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist hip ratio. Reduction in the waist circumference might helps to reduce the cardiovascular risk. LS may be one of the cost effective intervention that can be incorporated in the weight loss regimen.

Effect of Thermal Stimulation of a Selected Acupuncture Point danzong on Pulmonary Function in Patient with Bronchial Asthma: A Case Report.

Bronchial asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory condition associated with wheezing, tightness of the chest, breathlessness, and cough, leading to a reduction in quality of life. Conceptional vessel 17 (danzong) is the influential acupuncture point for the respiratory system, widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine in combination with moxibustion (thermal stimulation) to manage respiratory problems. A 39-year-old male with bronchial asthma underwent the thermal stimulation of CV 17 acupuncture point 20 minutes daily for a period of 14 days. His pulmonary function was assessed at baseline and after 14 days using a spirometer. Pulmonary function test results showed significant improvement in FEV1/FVC ratio, PEF 25-75%, and PEFR. Further studies are indicated to establish the efficacy of dangzong with thermal stimulation for bronchial asthma.

Knowledge, attitude and perception of complementary and alternative system of medicine in Tamilnadu and Pudhucherry, South India.

OBJECTIVES: Complementary and Alternate medicine (CAM) remains as the major source of healthcare for majority of the Indian population. This widespread resource needs to be strengthened, adequately trained and effectively utilized in the national health care delivery system for delivering an integrated and effective health care system. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted involving 200 adults in two different settings-a community setting (n=100), and a hospital setting (n=100). A semi-structured questionnaire was used. RESULTS: Both in the community and in the hospital, siddha (80%) was the most well-known system of medicine, followed by Yoga (72%) and Naturopathy in the study population. However, the knowledge about the various available CAM therapies still seemed to be limited. CONCLUSIONS: Opinion on the integrated approach along with conventional medicine was welcoming. Still more awareness about these systems is required to facilitate integrative medicine in healthcare settings.