Evaluating Clinical Efficacy of Ayurvedic Inhalation Therapy (Aerosol) and Rasayan Therapy in the Management of COPD - A Randomized Cohort Control Clinical Study

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease characterized by dyspnea and cough with sputum, main fulminating cause for this disease is smoking (active or passive). COPD is one of the progressive disease of respiratory system and so far there is no permanent cure for this.The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Ayurvedic inhalation therapy(aerosol) and Rasayana therapy (rejuvenation therapy) in the management of COPD. Method: A cohort controlled clinical study was done on 60 known cases of COPD divided into two groups equally through randomization(done by quickcalcs software). Subjects allocated in group A were given Herbal aerosol through nebulization in a dose of 2.5 ml B.I.D for 15 days followed by Rasayana therapy (Rejuvenation therapy) for one month and in Group B standard conventional therapy was given for the same duration. Primary endpoint was change in Pulmonary function test (PFT)/Spirometry. Secondary endpoint includes change inmMRC (Modified medical research council) scale, CAT(COPD assessment test) scale, SF-36 questionnaire, BODE index. Findings: There was p<0.001 found in pulmonary function test (FEV1, FVC, PEFR) in trial group and p<0.05 in control group. p<0.001 found in mMRC scale in trial group and p<0.05 in control group.p<0.05 found in SF36 questionnaire in both groups.p<0.001 found in BODE index score in trial group and p<0.05 in control group. Improvement remain constant during regular follow ups. Interpretation: This study has been done with an objective to evaluate the efficacy of Ayurvedic inhalation therapy through Nebulization and Rasayana therapy (Rejuvenation therapy) in COPD. Through this study,efforts was made to establish a safer treatment for COPD through herbal drugs. It is also an approach to expand the knowledge of Ayurveda with the help of modern techniques. Trial Registration: CTRI/2017/11/010585. Funding Statement: This study was supported by grants from the MD research program of All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi Declaration of Interests: The authors stated: "nil." Ethics Approval Statement: Ethical committee clearance number: AIIA/2017/PG-13.