ADD-ON EFFECT OF SELECTED AYURVEDIC TREATMENT PROTOCOL IN FOCAL SEIZURES EVOLVING TO GENERALIZED SEIZURES – A NON-RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable disease that affects 50 million people worldwide. AEDs play a vital role in controlling seizures but are not a permanent solution. For a large percentage of Persons with Epilepsy, seizures happen even with the intake of AEDs. Apasmāra is more or less compared to epilepsy. The majority of studies conducted on Apasmāra were śamana therapies and suggested śodhana therapy for better results. A non-randomized controlled trial on the Add-on effect of Selected Ayurvedic Treatment Protocol in Focal Seizures Evolving to Generalized seizures was conducted to assess and compare the selected protocol’s add-on effect, including śodhana and śamana in secondary generalized seizures. In the trial group, 10 diagnosed subjects with secondarily generalized seizures on Anti-Epileptic Drugs were included and given the intervention. In control, group 10 diagnosed subjects with secondarily generalized seizures on Anti-Epileptic Drugs were observed for the same period. The treatment’s effect was assessed using the Epilepsy severity assessment chart. Assessments were done on 0th day, 15th day, 30th day, 45th day, 60th day and on 75th day and Quality of life by QOLIE-10p questionnaire before and after treatment. The control group was also assessed, and the results were compared. The selected protocol was found to have a significant add-on effect in reducing severity, frequency, duration, and post-ictal features compared to the control group and improving the Quality of life compared to the control group.