Comparative Evaluation of Dashamula saindhavaa Sarpi as Nasya (nasal administration) versus Oral administration in the Management of Ardhavabhedaka (~Migraine): A Randomized Parallel Group Clinical Study

Ardhavabhedaka is described as one of the eleven types of Shiroroga (headache disorders) in all Ayurvedic classical texts. It is a disease in which there is acute pain in half of the head, laterals of the neck, temporal region, ear and eyes. Based on the similarity in etiology, pathology, symptoms and treatment principles Ardhavabhedaka can be very well connected with migraine. As per the International Headache Society (IHS), Migraine accounts for 16% of all primary headaches. As per WHO, Migraine prevalence and incidence of the attack suggest that migraine attacks around 3000 persons per million populations every day globally. Aim of Study: To compare the effect of Dashmula saindhavaa Sarpi Nasya and Oral in the Management of Ardhavabhedaka wsr to Migraine. Material and Methods: Total of 68 patients of age group 16 to 60 years of either sex were enrolled based on headache as the chief complaint. After screening via a Pre-diagnostic questionnaire (IHS), 24 patients were excluded and 44 patients recruited were randomly divided into two groups, group A received Dashmula saindhavaa Sarpi nasya, 6 drops in each nostril for 7 days, repeated after intervals of 1 week (four cycles) and Group B received Dashmula saindhava Sarpi orally 12 grams/day in two divided doses for 2 months. The assessment was done based on 4 point grading score of Clinical symptoms of Ardhavabhedaka (Migraine). Result: Overall effect of therapy shows that in Group A 05.00% had the complete cure, 50.00% of patients had marked improvement and 40.00% had moderate improvement whereas, in Group B, 05.88% had the complete cure, 35.29% of patients had marked improvement and 35.29% had moderate improvement. Both groups showed highly significant results (p = >0.001) in severity, duration, and frequency and various parameters of Ardhavabhedaka with more percentage improvement in Group A i.e., with Nasya therapy. Conclusion: Clinical assessment of Dashmula saindhava Sarpi nasya and as oral therapy on different parameters of Ardhavabhedaka showed that both are effective and safe.